RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe)

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/24/2010 2:23:45 AM

Alfred

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Alfred: Good to know; are you sure?

I have spotted P-40Es, P-39s, B-25s, and A-20s. So according to what you said, Dan HAS reinforced India with additional USAAF units. This is not surprising though.

Am sure for scenario 1. Would need to fire up scenario 2 to be 100% certain but AFAIK, no changes were made in this area between the two scenarios.

I would proceed on the basis that the P-40E and B-25 you have spotted belong to 10th Air Force which is attached to SEAC (the B-25 could also be attached to NCAC but as that unit is sceduled to enter the game at Aden, it amounts to the same thing). The P-39 and A-20 would be from elsewhere, probably from Hawaii (either 7th or 13th Air Force) or SWPac.

Alfred

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Post #: 361

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/24/2010 2:48:04 AM

VSWG

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...or he has simply up/downgraded some squadrons.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/25/2010 9:21:39 PM

Q-Ball

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6/26/42 to 6/30/42:

Wow, couple days off, and this AAR slips to page 2! I need to update more frequently, or you guys need to comment more.

Air Wars over Poona: We have had several days of large dogfights over Poona. Overall losses have been about equal over 4 days, but they go kind of like this:

1. Allied fighters, Hurricanes, P-40s, P-39s,and P-38s, sweep my guys at high altitude, and shoot some down
2. We get a few back at lower altitude, but I lose fighter on fighters
3. However, his bombers come in un-escorted and get crushed

So, I've been losing more fighters than the Allies, but shooting down alot of bombers, mostly BLENHEIMS, HUDSONS, and B-25s, with a couple A-20s thrown in (and 2 B-17s!).

I have been playing with altitudes, but against the sweeps, staggered altitudes in the 10-20 range, where my planes are much more manueverable, seem to work best.

Dan seems to want to attrition me. I have pulled the best pilots from these units into the pool, so most pilots are 70 exp pilots fresh from the pool. Some get killed, some live and gain experience. I'm not worried about losing pilots, and I'm not worried about losing planes, though I am losing Tojos at the current replacement rate.

The RAF is very, very depleted. They have lost almost 300 Bombers, and nearly 200 Hurricanes. This is probably why I am seeing more USAAF now.

1-1 air losses hurts me for Auto-Victory though. I helps in the long run from a VP standpoint, but hurts right now.

Bataan Falls: Bataan surrendered; 25,000+ troops gave up. VPs only went up about 800 points, probably because of the losses suffered so far, and the fact that units starved. I noticed that I would gain a few VPs a day, even without ground combat. At any rate, I am now at 11,640 for Allied Ground, with Bataan done.

Wainwright didn't, however, surrender the rest of the Phillipines. There are still garrisons on Iloilo, Cebu, and Mindinao, probably another 15K troops or so.

I think BYPASS is the right strategy for the Phillipines. You need to land strong in December to force the Allies back on Clark. If the Allies defend in multiple hexes, you can eliminate Luzon earlier in detail. But they fall back to fortress Clark, I think the best thing to do is to leave 600 AV, a bunch of bombers, and move on. I pulled all the good units from Luzon a long time ago; the troops there since then are just artillery units and a mish-mash of B-grade troops.

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Post #: 363

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/25/2010 10:12:55 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

6/26/42 to 6/30/42:

Wow, couple days off, and this AAR slips to page 2! I need to update more frequently, or you guys need to comment more.

Air Wars over Poona: We have had several days of large dogfights over Poona. Overall losses have been about equal over 4 days, but they go kind of like this:

1. Allied fighters, Hurricanes, P-40s, P-39s,and P-38s, sweep my guys at high altitude, and shoot some down
2. We get a few back at lower altitude, but I lose fighter on fighters
3. However, his bombers come in un-escorted and get crushed

So, I've been losing more fighters than the Allies, but shooting down alot of bombers, mostly BLENHEIMS, HUDSONS, and B-25s, with a couple A-20s thrown in (and 2 B-17s!).

I have been playing with altitudes, but against the sweeps, staggered altitudes in the 10-20 range, where my planes are much more manueverable, seem to work best.

Dan seems to want to attrition me. I have pulled the best pilots from these units into the pool, so most pilots are 70 exp pilots fresh from the pool. Some get killed, some live and gain experience. I'm not worried about losing pilots, and I'm not worried about losing planes, though I am losing Tojos at the current replacement rate.

The RAF is very, very depleted. They have lost almost 300 Bombers, and nearly 200 Hurricanes. This is probably why I am seeing more USAAF now.

1-1 air losses hurts me for Auto-Victory though. I helps in the long run from a VP standpoint, but hurts right now.

Bataan Falls: Bataan surrendered; 25,000+ troops gave up. VPs only went up about 800 points, probably because of the losses suffered so far, and the fact that units starved. I noticed that I would gain a few VPs a day, even without ground combat. At any rate, I am now at 11,640 for Allied Ground, with Bataan done.

Wainwright didn't, however, surrender the rest of the Phillipines. There are still garrisons on Iloilo, Cebu, and Mindinao, probably another 15K troops or so.

I think BYPASS is the right strategy for the Phillipines. You need to land strong in December to force the Allies back on Clark. If the Allies defend in multiple hexes, you can eliminate Luzon earlier in detail. But they fall back to fortress Clark, I think the best thing to do is to leave 600 AV, a bunch of bombers, and move on. I pulled all the good units from Luzon a long time ago; the troops there since then are just artillery units and a mish-mash of B-grade troops.

I belatedly realized that complete bypassing of the Philippines may not be the best approach. Both Cebu and Zamboanga on Mindanao have some resource and LI functionality, therefore can hold out without external supplies much longer. They produce their own. These (and Clark / Manila of course) should be a higher priority target in the initial assaults.

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Post #: 364

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/25/2010 10:35:33 PM

crsutton

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Just no way that trading fighters is sustainable by the Allies. Not with the replacement rates he is living with.

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Post #: 365

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/26/2010 3:49:07 AM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, June 30-July 1, 1942:

Chickenboy: Actually I took Zamboanga months ago for that reason; it's the only supply source on Mindinao.

Didn't know about Cebu, but that's OK; it can't hurt me.

crsutton: I know from playing Allies that they have limited aircraft; particularly the RAF is short. Even with no losses, I struggled to fill out RAF bomber units into 1943.

Subs: Not much going on in sub wars, since I hit IDAHO off the West Coast. Of course, Intel reports it as SUNK, which only ASAHI SHIMBUN believes. I have nailed a couple AKLs here and there, nothing special.

I sank a SUB off Trincomalee, and there are 2 subs docked at Bombay we are hitting tommorow; they are probably damaged from aircraft around Ceylon.

Defending the Empire: I am moving the troops from Luzon to various vulnerable points, including Sumatra, and the Central Pacific.

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Post #: 366

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/26/2010 2:54:20 PM

Alfred

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Leaving bases in the Philippines under Allied control can be very dangerous, particularly as there remain some tenuous unbroken Allied LOCs back to Australia (IIRC the Allies still hold Manado plus Dutch bases in the Arafura Sea/New Guinea). I don't think you have to rush to garrison Sumatra (previously commented on) or any atoll in the Central Pacific with a 6k troop limit. The atolls can be quickly recaptured in 1942 in the event that a valuable one is captured by the Allies. Instead I would use your odds and ends from Luzon to capture Filipino bases with reasonable sized airbases/ports or garrisons before they can be reinforced.

Alfred

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Post #: 367

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/26/2010 4:25:19 PM

Q-Ball

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Alfred, with all due respect because you have some insightful comments, there is no threat from the Phillipines. You might be right if I was sloppy around Australia, but I control the Torres Strait, Exmouth, and everything in between, the nearest Allied base to Menado in Australia is far, far, away. China is closer.

There is no feasible way to get adequate supplies to the Phillipines. Thus, I can take my time.

I do plan to take Mindanao and Cebu now, though, simply because I would like the points, and see where I stand. I am currently at 28,700 to 8,300, or about 3.6 to 1.

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Post #: 368

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/27/2010 2:39:56 AM

Q-Ball

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July 2-3, 1942:

Night Battle of Nandi: I have had a cruiser TF lurking in the New Hebrides for awhile. A month ago, they intercepted and sank an Allied convoy with troops on it. I spotted an Allied cruiser TF parked off Nandi, and sent them to attack.

I had 2 CA, 1 CL, 4 DD, and they tangles with 1 CA, 1CL, and 5 old DD. Results were disappointing; we traded some shots, nothing was seriously damaged. NAKA took some damage that will require shipyard time, but she was due for an AA upgrade anyway. I don't think any Allied ships tood significant damage. We fired off at least 30 Long Lances, but alas, they all missed.

So far, the IJN really hasn't done that well in night fights. Hopefully that changes.

Poona: I have temporarily withdrawn from Poona. I bombed Bombay port for 2 turns in a row because a SUB is parked there (probably damaged by one of my ASW bombers), but all they did was hit the port and not the sub, so I give up. I do plan to start sweeping Bombay soon, just to kill Allied fighters.

Bombay: I am flanking Bombay to see if Dan evacuates, but I don't think he is going to. He just railed in another unit, making it 41 total. That's alot.

I don't have a troop or AV count, but he has to have at least 3 divisions worth there, or what's the point. It's probably more. Either way, I fear it's more than I could ever dislodge.

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Post #: 369

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/28/2010 4:23:54 AM

Q-Ball

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July 4-7, 1942:

Air Wars: Still back and forth over Poona. I lost big a couple days trying to bomb the two subs in port at Bombay, but got Dan back with a 21-0 day by sweeping Bombay at high altitude. I even shot down 3 P-38s with OSCARS which doesn't happen too often. But most of the damage was done by TOJOs.

That was on the 5th, and since then, Dan is only bombing the troops to the East of Bombay, and leaving Poona alone. I am getting bombers together soon to bomb the airbase.

Bombay: BOmbay is the last worthwhile target this side of the "Line of Doom", really the line that triggers a very large Allied reinforcement.

Bombay has 42 units, and in a Heavy Urban hex with forts, is probably a too tough a nut. I am going to keep moving forward to force Dan to commit to a siege and think I'm still coming in India.

Diego Garcia: Another try at Diego; this time I am landing the 5th Amphibious Bde, 150 AV that is 100% prepped. I am also bombing it with KIDO BUTAI; that is the first and hopefully last time I bomb a land target with KB, but I have to clear it, and cover the landings at the same time, since I don't know where Dan's CVs are. I hate doing that, but I need to clear that island.

Subs: Dan sent large convoys to Karachi, as soon as KB had to take a breather. I sank 3 xAKs, but they appeared empty or only had supplies.

Heavy Industry: A couple months ago I noted that I was struggling to accumulate any HI surplus. Not anymore. With INDIA, I have about 450 HI producing right now, all of it in the Calcutta area. Ledo is producing 630 Fuel per day, not sure where the rest is coming from, I suppose Magwe.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 370

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/28/2010 6:39:07 PM

Q-Ball

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July 8-9, 1942:

Diego Garcia, Take 2: We landed reinforcements at Diego, a Brigade that was 100%, and that I should have taken the first time. A 1-1 shock attack dropped the forts. We lost no transports this time, mostly because I bombarded it with 4 BBs, and placed 6 cruisers with the transports (3 of those the KATORIS). KB also bombed it.

I really hate to use KB this way, but I need to clear Diego to secure the Bay of Bengal. Without a land base between Geraldton and Bombay, it would be difficult to launch an invasion in the Indian Ocean, which is the point. This is the first time, and last time, I'll use it to hit a land target. At least there are minimal AA guns there, so I suffered no losses.

Air Wars Over India: I think we are gaining the upper hand; two days in a row of fearful Allied losses over Bombay. I will sweep tommorow, but I expect to find nobody. At that point we can start bombing the base.

Not sure how much farther I am going in India, but anytime you can shoot down Allied fighters like this, you have to keep pressing! I'm not even using the IJN units, where I am trying to keep the pilots fresh.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 371

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/28/2010 10:27:10 PM

Johraiken

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All in all good tactical victories, but how does it stand in the grand view of things?

How far are you from auto-victory, and do you have plans for 1943, as the strategic initiative slowly shifts to the Allied side?

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 4:56:36 PM

Q-Ball

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Strategic Situation: Last commment brings up interesting questions. I am nearing a major decision point.

I think India is not takeable at this point, and not sure it is vs. a very good player. I have been careful not to trigger garrison requirements, but I already have more than I would like, without approaching the LINE OF DEATH.

BOMBAY will hold for months in my rear if I leave it alone, a quick take of it I don't think is possible, given the requirements.

The problem is India is too difficult to Isolate. The only easy base in the Arabian Sea is Socotra, but occupying that triggers the REINFORCEMENTS which I don't want to do. Keeping KB floating in the Arabian Sea for several months without interruption is also not a great solution. The only real way to isolate India is to first give the Allies 6 extra divisions in the process.

I thought a conquest of most of India would be sufficient for AUTO VICTORY. Without a major sea battle, or without Dan standing fast and losing troops, it isn't. I have about 3.5 to 1, but that's not quite there, and not close enough.

I picked India because even if I don't trigger auto-victory, there are lasting benefits. I can't realistically hold the Indian mainland, but I can make Calcutta a bear to re-take. Overall, the RAF is completely mauled, and the Indian Army has taken alot of casualties, so a major offensive into Burma and Southeast Asia probably is not in the cards until at least 1944. As a side benefit, I am also gaining alot of HI in India, which also helps in the long run.

A better Auto-Victory choice is Australia. It's much easier to isolate, because it's not so close to the map edge, and has way more coastline for the Allies to defend. Looking around, it has a ton of points if you take South Australia. I should have gone for OZ IMO. Oh well.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 5:19:52 PM

Alfred

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That is too pessimistic a view of the Indian situation. Even if you decide to transition to the defence in India by not crossing the line of death (TM) [a questionable choice at least] you can still play an aggressive defence which continues to garner VPs towards achieving a 4:1 ratio.

Bombay left alone in your rear is a dangerous situation. It would leave your opponent with a choice of too many options. What you should do is to move some units into Bombay itself. In post #369 you estimated some 3 Allied divisions are currently in Bombay. That means you can move in 1 Japanese division and it will not be kickout out by the enemy because you benefit from:

(a) the 4x heavy urban defensive bonus
(b) the low quality of the Allied infantry
(c) Japan having air superiority over Bombay, will prevent Allied resupply by sea, and you can isolate Bombay from overland supply (and raw material imports necessary to feed its industry) - the net result is that you can eventually starve the Bombay garrison, further reducing its combat power.

By investing Bombay, at a great economy of scale, you fix in place Allied units and channel their offensive options into known premium defensive channels. Allied attacks to kick you out of Bombay will be to your benefit pointwise. The Japanese besieging force would not need to be that much greater than the garrison requirement would be anyway. A similar approach can be adopted with Cawnpore (and elsewhere) which you have previously stated has a stout enemy garrison.

Alfred

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 5:31:55 PM

Smeulders

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I didn't know about Socotora triggering the reinforcements. It is above the line of death, but wouldn't that line be limited to the Indian mainland ?

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 5:34:45 PM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

I didn't know about Socotora triggering the reinforcements. It is above the line of death, but wouldn't that line be limited to the Indian mainland ?

I recall we wondered abou this months ago, and I think the answer is nobody knows.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 5:37:24 PM

Bullwinkle58

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I second Alfred's thought re Bombay. It is one location where you know what can be/is there, and the x4 works for you so long as you seige and don't attack. When/if he attacks you, he bleeds.

I assume you're doing this already, but building airfields, ports, and forts in already-taken bases also leverages those conquests VP-wise. If you have engineers toiling away on, say, the second-defense-line, it might be worth pulling them into India to build the big VP cities faster.

< Message edited by Bullwinkle58 -- 10/29/2010 5:40:47 PM >

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 5:37:38 PM

crsutton

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Well, I am glad to see that you went for India. It has made for a great AAR and you are the first to really give it a go. Personally, I don't think all of OZ can be taken vs a good Allied player as well. However, as more knowledge is gained perhaps Japanese players will work out a system for it.

Besides, your accomplishments are not without merit and won't hurt your prospects at all. You have really banged upt the Indian army and the Brits. It really is going to take CR a very long time to rebuild them to the point where they are capable of offering any threat to you in either India or Burma. You hold Ceylon and should be able to hold it easily for some time as the Allied just have no assault transport in that theater and with scen#2 you will hold air superiorty at any point you want until mid 1943. As Monty would have said, you just need to "tidy up".

Personally, as an AFB I think that a major garrison in Celyon is worth it even if you know you will lose them all. It forces the Allied to mount a major invasion to take it back and that invasion will eat up time and resources that he could well use in the Pacific. Frankly, I think you could hold Celyon until the end of 1943 and then even if you lose a lot of men, it would be worth it. You have already made a major commitment to India. There is no turning back from that. Now you need to find a way to force the Allies to make a major commitment there as well so as to take maximum advantage from the ground work you have laid.

After playing the Allied for 500 turns in scen #2 I am convinced that there is more opportunity for Japan as far as strategic options go. Given the bonus in resources, planes and ships, there is ample room for a Japanese player to think out of the traditional box.

I am very happy that you will not take an auto victory on Canoe. That means that this campaign and AAR should go fairly deep. That is what we all secretly wanted anyways...

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Post #: 378

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 6:25:32 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton

I am very happy that you will not take an auto victory on Canoe. That means that this campaign and AAR should go fairly deep. That is what we all secretly wanted anyways...

Speak for yourself, mate. I wanted BLOOD, dammit. BLOOD!

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 6:38:15 PM

JohnDillworth

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Is there anything you would do differently if you could do this over? Would there have been any merit to going right for Karachi after Ceylon? It's a big step with un-prepped troops but yours are so much better at that stage of the war. Once Karachi is in your hands you are a long way towards isolating India. Running troops and supplies to Bombay would be difficult at best and I think you would still have had enough troops to to take Madras and Calcutta. It might have triggered reinforcements, but they would have no place to go.

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Post #: 380

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/29/2010 6:48:15 PM

Q-Ball

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Thanks for the comments, I will reply, but first a quick Combat Update:

July 10-12, 1942:

Diego Garcia Falls: Base fell easily this time; should have brought enough troops in the first place. Using KB hurt because he knows where it is, but that's the price of victory here.

This island is important, because it screens the Bay of Bengal. I also cannot allow an Allied base close to the map edge, or as a staging area. It's important to eliminate all Allied bases in the Indian Ocean.

One strange thing: The defenders were the 99th Indian Bde. This is a unit that begins the game close to full-strength on Ceylon. Dan must have paid the PPs to move it to Diego Garcia. (I'm sure there is a fragment of it somewhere). I was wondering where those guys were, because I had destroyed the other 2 at-start Indian Bdes on Ceylon (the 98th and 100th).

What appeared to be a supply convoy was sunk during the invasion; 2 xAKs and an AM escort. Dan probably forgot about them, and they showed up at the wrong time.

Menado: Also fell; last Dutch garrison to surrender, other than a couple starving units lurking in the jungle.

Between those 2, I am up to 11,500 VPs for Ground troops now, but the only gimmies now are the guys on Mindanao, and they aren't worth a whole lot.

Air Wars Over India: This has been strange. Dan has kept a CAP over Bombay for 4 days, and 4 days in a row I have swept it for great results. The tally so far is 35 to 1 in losses. He withdrew the P-40s and P-38s, so I am mostly shooting down Mohawks, P-39s, and Hurris. The CAP is set to 10,000 Ft, so my guys get a bounce, and THEN we dogfight at 10K, which of course is great for my OSCAR and TOJO pilots. The OSCARS have done particularly well. Why is he keeping them out there?

Meanwhile, i am not even defending Poona, so sweeping P-38s are hitting air, and bombers ARE getting 2-3 of my planes a turn on the ground. Base damage is minimal, and quickly repaired. He is also bombing my ground troops, which I am not yet contesting; I am content to shoot down Allied fighters first.

Very strange air war.

Sub Notes: I got an xAK off Socotra; I have had subs out there for awhile, looking for ships transiting the map corner, but that's the first time I have seen ANYTHING. Strange.

Also sank an xAK off Suva, and another off Australia. We sank a Dutch Sub in port in Mangalore; she probably took a bomb hit and was crippled, we finished her off. Dan has lost 2-4 subs around Ceylon now.

In an interesting intel tidbit, I-4 sighted a large convoy of ships that included BB COLORADO off US west coast. The escort sank I-4.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/30/2010 3:02:56 AM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton
Personally, I don't think all of OZ can be taken vs a good Allied player as well. However, as more knowledge is gained perhaps Japanese players will work out a system for it.

I think it's possible, moreso than India. First, the triggered reinforcements are much less, and none of them actually appear in Australia.

In order to do it, you need to move quickly in the SRA and elsewhere, but you can easily, in Scen 2, free up 8-10 divisions by the end of February, if you are moving quickly.

By March 1, the RAAF is nothing, and the Australians have several Militia Divisions, but these melt away quick against oppossition.

The key is isolating Australia, which means early moves against Perth and Brisbane, with landings on Tasmania early to set-up BETTY bases. Those moves should interdict all the ports, and allow time to set-up the kill.

I think the Allies would be forced to commit CVs to counter, to run convoys into Southern Australia.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/30/2010 3:09:53 AM

TheLoneGunman_MatrixForum

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

quote:

ORIGINAL: crsutton
Personally, I don't think all of OZ can be taken vs a good Allied player as well. However, as more knowledge is gained perhaps Japanese players will work out a system for it.

I think it's possible, moreso than India. First, the triggered reinforcements are much less, and none of them actually appear in Australia.

In order to do it, you need to move quickly in the SRA and elsewhere, but you can easily, in Scen 2, free up 8-10 divisions by the end of February, if you are moving quickly.

By March 1, the RAAF is nothing, and the Australians have several Militia Divisions, but these melt away quick against oppossition.

The key is isolating Australia, which means early moves against Perth and Brisbane, with landings on Tasmania early to set-up BETTY bases. Those moves should interdict all the ports, and allow time to set-up the kill.

I think the Allies would be forced to commit CVs to counter, to run convoys into Southern Australia.

Sounds like you've got your next AAR ready to go!

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/31/2010 1:03:51 AM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, July 13-16, 1942:

Air Wars: Losses have equalized recently, the last couple days; I need to vary altitudes again. Equal losses is fine from a long-term perspective, as we are shooting down P-38s and Hurris, but short-term, will not help auto victory.

Bombay: Attached is the first screenshot on Bombay:

Attachment (1)

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/31/2010 3:21:04 AM

Alfred

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IIRC, (a) some of the Bombay defenders are scheduled to be auto withdrawn later in the year and (b) the Indian divisions are very low quality (both in experience and morale) - it will take them quite some time to be come category 1 if you refrain from bombarding them.

You certainly do not need to maintain so many Japanese divisions just to retain your foothold. Remember the intention is to (a) launch no attacks whatsoever, rather encourage the Allies to bleed themselves by launching attacks against you and (b) tie up more Allied AV than Japanese AV, in the process greatly reducing Allied counterattack options.

Alfred

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/31/2010 3:40:39 AM

ny59giants

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So is two divisions enough for right now until you can get a large brigade in there and have a high enough prep level to be able to withstand an assault?? At least you have halted production of any more supplies at Bombay.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 10/31/2010 4:47:48 AM

John 3rd

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Could always begin to dig-in at a place of YOUR choosing...

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 11/2/2010 10:47:47 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Could always begin to dig-in at a place of YOUR choosing...

This, and Michael's comment is the plan. I plan to leave 3 divisions in the Bombay hex. First, I am sending a few units to enter from all locations, to turn the hexside RED, and truly cut it off. THEN, I will leave only 3 divisions, and take the other 6 Divisions I have down there and move elsewhere.

Eventually, I need to leave India, and probably in a hurry. I don't plan to make a stand anywhere, other than Calcutta-Grad. I plan to leave a couple divisions there (pulling fragments of course!), because the Allies have to take it back. It's worth too many points. I might make a stand in Madras the same way, Allies need it for reinforcements. Ceylon is a deathtrap, I will only contest via air.

July 17-23, 1942:

2nd Page!: Alot of AARs going, I leave this alone for 48 hours, and I drop to Page 2!

Baker?: An Allied TF suddenly appears off Baker Island. I didn't see them coming until 5 hexes away. What is this?

If the direction was NE, I might think it's a stray, but the direction is right at Baker. Dan has been flying over Baker every single day for two months, so this isn't a huge surprise. He is very well aware of the size of the garrison, so if he is invading, he is no doubt bringing plenty to finish the job. No sense resisting.

With all the overflights (including F-4s), I occupied HOWLAND as another seaplane base about a month ago. I wonder if it's a target as well.

Baker is a pretty easy and obvious target. It's useful as a seaplane base and aircraft ferry point, but that's it; it can't be used offensively. No big loss. I will need to evaluate to determine if this is part of a wider move into the Gilberts, but I would be surprised (and delighted) if he moved on Tarawa this early.

I set all the air transports I had local to pick-up the troops there. I probably won't get them all out, but I will save the units, and minimize losses.

I don't have any way to resist the invasion at present. The nearest warships are a cruiser squadron, but I can't send them in without knowing if there are USN CVs present. Baker is too far from Tabiteua for other than NavB with un-escorted BETTIES, which isn't a very good idea if he has any kind of aircover.

I have moved a small Betty unit though to do RECON, and see what ships are out there. I am particularly anxious to know if USN CVs are present; if I had to guess, I guess that they ARE. But we'll see.

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< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 11/2/2010 10:54:17 PM >

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 11/2/2010 11:44:01 PM

JohnDillworth

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quote:

Eventually, I need to leave India, and probably in a hurry.

Thats alot of troops and it is July 42. Do these divisions go to defensive positions, mobile reserve, or is there another offensive in the offing?

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 11/3/2010 6:42:39 PM

Q-Ball

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July 24-25, 1942:

Troops and Plans: Good question Mr. Dillworth. I am keeping a large force in India at-present to keep the pressure on, but I have to be wary of getting cut-off starting in 9/42, which is when the Allies get some paras, and can attempt a landing on the SE coast of India.

I plan to push forward until August/September, then start to withdraw troops for elsewhere. I am already prepping units for an invasion in the Pacific, where I hope to draw out some USN Seapower.

The attempt to win auto-victory in India has failed, but the success is that I do not anticipate any threats to the SRA from India, without signifcant US help. In fact, I bet Dan is planning a counteroffensive anywhere but directly at me in India. He might not even attempt to land behind me in India, but keep me occupied there to attain freedom of action elsewhere.

I can't leave the Pacific empty, so I am moving troops around at the moment. I bought out all the elements of 2nd Tank Div from Manchuria, and will build that division in India, forming a little Tank Army with the Gds Tank Div. But I am also pulling out the 21st Infantry Division, for service elsewhere.

Baker Falls: As expected, Baker falls. Pulling the garrison was the right call, as Dan landed with 3 Regts, a Tank unit, and engineers. That's alot! Most of my guys got a lift off the island. The attackers probably exceed stacking limits.

Forces included at least 1 BB (MISSISSIPPI), plus some sort of aircover that intercepted my air transports. No CV bombers though. Hard to tell if that was the USN CVs, or if it was just LONG ISLAND with some Wildcats loaded. I have to operate as if USN CVs are in that area for now. He could have attempted this landing without full CV support, because via last sighting, he knows KB could not have interfered.

JULY 27 EDIT: We got a partial answer on Baker; looks like just CVE aircover, see map below.

ODDS and ENDS: Our Subs sank 3 xAKs off India, plus a DE.

We finally caught up to the nomadic 20th Indian Division near Madras, and nailed it; over 200 squads destroyed. The unit must be out of supplies to collapse that bad vs. only 150 AV. I am moving 2 tank units around to finish the job.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 11/3/2010 9:21:29 PM >

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