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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/8/2011 12:28:49 PM

Blackhorse

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quote:

Cribtop Intel needs to make up its mind.

"There have been only three great intelligence officers in all history. Mine is not one of them."
-- General Douglas MacArthur

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/8/2011 7:31:02 PM

Cribtop

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/8/2011 7:57:29 PM

Canoerebel

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/8/2011 8:37:58 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

BB West Virginia is back off the sunk list. Cribtop Intel needs to make up its mind.

Maybe it's like the Oklahoma, where they raised it from the floor of Pearl harbor, floated it out into the Pacific, and then sank it again. Perhaps they can't decide where it would look best?

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/8/2011 9:05:35 PM

Cribtop

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March 7, 1942

We close the Burma road on the same day our armies march into the Sian hex. Hopefully an ominous sign for the KMT.

Subs

Our warships successfully evade the Dutch subs near Manado.

4th Fleet, SE Fleet, 14th Army

No change.

16th Army

We load to seize Lomblen and to move a base force to Dili. Both of these bases will be used to provide air support for Operation WD.

25th Army

We bomb Palembang's airfield into the stone ages but CF has pulled back his aircraft.

15th Army

We close the Burma road as both Lashio and Mandalay fall. Lashio is abandoned and falls to the RTA cav division (which will be divided now for garrison work in Burma). DA Mandalay destroys one defending LCU and forces another to retreat with 214:1 odds, casualties 1002(108) vs 157(0). Tokyo Rose harasses Cuttlefish. We are moving quickly to close out this front.

China

The North China Army enters the Sian hex in force. BA tomorrow to determine raw AS.

5th Fleet

Shemya Island occupied by very cold rowboat.

Other

BB West Virginia now listed as sunk again. Seriously. You can't make this stuff up.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/8/2011 9:32:02 PM

Cribtop

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

quote:

BB West Virginia is back off the sunk list. Cribtop Intel needs to make up its mind.

Maybe it's like the Oklahoma, where they raised it from the floor of Pearl harbor, floated it out into the Pacific, and then sank it again. Perhaps they can't decide where it would look best?

Operation Feng Shui perhaps?

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/9/2011 5:36:56 PM

Cribtop

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March 8, 1942

Subs

IJN ASW harasses Skipjack for the 10,000th time near Formosa. Sargo duds on an xAKL near Davao.

4th Fleet

Nikunau invaded and taken by SA as our dot base warriors continue their tour of the Gilberts. The CVE raiders are about to turn onto a SSE heading in search of convoys.

SE Fleet

No change.

14th Army

We are a few days away from loading up 16th Division at Luzon and the stray regiment for 56th Division at Cotobato.

16th Army

We will invade Lomblen tomorrow. A big base force for Denpasar is loaded at Kendari. Indes Fleet and an LCTF for the Palembang op round the northern corner of Borneo and transfer to 25th Army AO.

25th Army

Rubble and a few damaged planes are bounced by the IJAAF at Palembang as the IJNAF switches to bombing the two small LCUs at the base. Mines are cleared at Singers and two vast convoys of merchants will arrive in a few days. Operation SJ will launch very soon. KB receives a warning order to end its brief vacation. I hope that keeping the CVs firmly off the radar screen for a few weeks has CF guessing about where they are.

15th Army

We are marching on Schwebo. Lots of support troops are slogging towards the railhead at Moulmein as we prepare to defend Burma against counterattack. Imperial Guards is still resting at Singapore and recovering disabled squads but will re-position soon. 2nd Fleet is landing at Bangkok with orders to move to Rangoon.

China

BA Sian shows raw AS at 4584 vs 3289. A bit more than we thought the KMT would have, but we will be adding up to 1400 more AS as reinforcements are en route, including a division just bought out of Kwantung Army.

BA Paotow shows raw AS of 254 vs 210. This mini-offensive by the enemy is thus stymied.

Other

The port units arrive and will be married with SNLFs to create CD gun bearing special base forces. Very useful units.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/9/2011 5:40:20 PM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/9/2011 6:41:29 PM

ny59giants

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quote:

The port units arrive and will be married with SNLFs to create CD gun bearing special base forces. Very useful units.

You will soon find out that both parts of these BFs are assigned different commands that are not listed. Therefore, you will need to spend those valuable PP to change commands for both parts before recombining. Anybody that has played as Japan has moaned and groaned about this.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/9/2011 6:59:10 PM

SuluSea

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Probably an unexpected bonus with Cuttlefish retreating into Sian. I had a hard time getting supply there with a large army and plenty of supply in China even after evicting the Japanese. Don't be surprised if the city falls quicker than expected . If you can spare some armor I'd get them rolling up the road that leads to the far north in China those and a few of the smaller Cav units can go a long way atleast from what I saw on the receiveing end.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/9/2011 7:14:10 PM

Cribtop

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ny - I did note that and was put out.

Sulu - I suspect his supply problems are pretty dire and armor is already feeling its way to flank the city. I sure hope it falls quickly. 600ish AS arrive in a few days and we'll try a DA then.

Program Note

I am leaving tomorrow for a work related conference and won't be back until Friday, so we will go on a short break until then.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/15/2011 6:45:28 AM

Cribtop

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I'm back at last from my conference. The war will resume tomorrow, gentle readers!

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/16/2011 3:22:17 AM

Cribtop

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March 9, 1942

Subs

No contacts.

4th Fleet

PB Okiyu Maru, heavily damaged by a USN sub weeks ago near Baker Island, sinks 1 hex from TB. A brave little ship that almost beat the odds.

TB made level 1 port yesterday and could have repaired her. The base is now furiously working on an airfield with 4 construction engineer units present.

SE Fleet

We have almost finished unloading supplies at Munda and the base is building nicely.

14th Army

In a few days we will swap a garrison unit for 16th Division.

16th Army

While a base force unloads at Dili, we invade Lomblen. Recon a/c move into Dili and will recce NW Oz just a few days before the invasion goes in. The last elements of 5th Air Division HQ will be delivered to Denpasar by FT TF tomorrow.

We are building up a strong recon picture of Java. The enemy has massed his air assets at Batavia, will small concentrations of unescorted bombers at Malang and Soerabaja. Ground units are mostly split betweent the two big bases with a scattering of base forces and a clump at Tjilatjap.

25th Army

Getting into position for Operation SJ. Won't be long now.

15th Army

As we close in on Schwebo, the enemy moves an LCU into Akyab. This base is held by 1st Raiding Regt. Crack troops with 39 AS, 46% prep, 1.80 forts in a jungle hex. Recon seemed to indicate the enemy unit was small, I guess we'll find out next turn. With Imperial Guards en route to the theater, the British shouldn't possess Akyab long even if they do re-take it.

China

We accidentally forget to call off the BA at Sian. Lots of reinforcements headed to the hex. No sign of an enemy counterattack, but we are watching closely with hordes of recon planes.

5th Fleet

Kiska Island occupied by rowboat.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/16/2011 3:23:22 AM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 3:30:20 AM

Cribtop

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March 10, 1942

Today we cross a unique threshold. March 10, 1942 was as far as I got in either of my two prior aborted AE PBEMs. In the longer PBEM, March 10th represented the Battle of Kangean, in which MKB whacked the British CVs and Battle Fleet at the dot base of Kangean, near Soerabaja. From here on, I am in virgin territory. Hopefully we can continue forward without major blunders.

Subs

Dutch sub KX is reported to be off the sunk list. No surprise as we only got one solid hit on her if memory serves.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Vella Lavella invaded.

14th Army

We note that flak opposition to our daily raids at Clark Field and Bataan has dropped to almost nil. The enemy is probably low on supply by now. Cribtop HQ has targeted May 1 for the beginning of the end on Luzon as we are more interested in pressing the war into Oz than cleaning up this isolated post.

16th Army

Lomblen falls while troops needed to support invasions of Darwin and Java unload at Dili, Lomblen and Denpasar.

25th Army

We pound Palembang in preparation for the upcoming landings here. Indes Fleet arrives at Cam Ranh Bay and refuels. The invasion fleet should arrive at Singapore in the next 48 hours. Cribtop HQ estimates loading beginning on the 13th and invasion launch not later than the 15th. The Java invasion will occur within a matter of days after the fall of Palembang.

15th Army

A bit of a problem for us as IJAAF bombers are socked in by bad weather and the enemy gets a 1:1 at Akyab, dropping forts to zero. Casualties for both sides are negligible, but CF has 45th Indian Brigade, approx 125 AS, and the base will almost surely fall. We will use Imperial Guards to counterattack the place soon, but the jockeying in Burma has already begun.

CF in his e-mail noted he had to re-take Akyab since "it is part of India," but it's actually part of Burma in AE. Is 45th Indian Brigade unrestricted? If not, per our house rules CF will either have to buy it out or pull back. No big deal either way, but I want to keep this house rule fresh in both our minds as we get closer to the inevitable counterattack.

Burma. From the JFB perspective, you can't live with it, can't cut off China without it.

5th Fleet

Agattu Island occupied by rowboat.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/17/2011 3:34:29 AM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 3:46:01 AM

ny59giants

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I'm only a few days behind you as the Allies (March 8th) and I'm out of supply at Clark and Bataan. You should be able to lower your bombers to 7 or 8,000 ft and not get hit by flak "IF" he is truly out of supply except what each unit is holding onto. He has some Vals there that drop bombs at 2,000 and still gets hit by flak.

If you can spare them, a couple of CAs in a Bombardment TF should help with Akyab. Fighter sweeps in AM phase and then escorted bombers in PM phase (set bombers to Naval Attack with Ground Attack secondary).

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 11:14:35 AM

Canoerebel

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As a personal preference, I've always treated Akyab as part of India so that the Allied player can use restricted Indian troops there. Seems reasonable since Akyab has road connections only to India. Unless you feel really strongly about it, I wouldn't raise the issue.

Congrats on making it to March 10. I hope you'll go all the way with this one. Knowing your gentlemanly opponent, I'm sure you will.

Go get 'em!

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 2:32:37 PM

princep01

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Crib, I've never played Cuttlefish before, but knowing him thru reading AARs, if you point out to him that Akyab is in Burma, it will be the first time he notices it. He will likely volunteer to retreat the restricted unit(s) back to India. It is your house rule and should be obeyed. However, as CR notes, Akyab "appears" to be more Indian than Burmese given the "road" net. You could offer, while noting its true national alinement, to make Akyab an exception to the house rule. In this manner, you both remind your opponent of the house rule and allow him a face saving choice. You create a win-win situation for you and your worthy opponent. That is, of course, a concept that is totally alien to our representatives in Washington.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 2:54:01 PM

PaxMondo

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quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

Crib, I've never played Cuttlefish before, but knowing him thru reading AARs, if you point out to him that Akyab is in Burma, it will be the first time he notices it. He will likely volunteer to retreat the restricted unit(s) back to India. It is your house rule and should be obeyed. However, as CR notes, Akyab "appears" to be more Indian than Burmese given the "road" net. You could offer, while noting its true national alinement, to make Akyab an exception to the house rule. In this manner, you both remind your opponent of the house rule and allow him a face saving choice. You create a win-win situation for you and your worthy opponent. That is, of course, a concept that is totally alien to our representatives in Washington.

+1

I have to admit, I have always thought of Akyab as part of India due to the road linkage. Only with closer scrutiny to the map did I see that it is, in fact, part of Burma. Learn something new ...

< Message edited by PaxMondo -- 7/17/2011 4:30:35 PM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 3:34:48 PM

Nemo121

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Aye, I think you have to assume an opponent is honourable until they prove they aren't with repeated rule breaches. We all forget a rule sometimes or make a wrong click ( I've done that with bomber altitude etc myself a few times ). Mostly I just either remind them of the HR and insist it is applied going forward ( if it favours one side over the other ) or drop the HR once it is breached ( if it doesn't favour one side over the other ). On occasions I've gained advantage by forgetting one I usually offer an equivalent "loss" to balance out any gain I might have unintentionally made. Akyab though is a pretty significant strategic position so I think if the HR is that he shouldn't occupy it with forces from India then he should evacuate it.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 3:56:24 PM

Cribtop

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Oh, absolutely gents. I never assumed CF was doing anything untoward, just wanted to make sure he knew where the boundary is based on his comment. He does and everything is on the up and up.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 4:53:39 PM

witpqs

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A somewhat common HR is restricted troops within 3 hexes of their border. That allows for an active defense along borders.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/17/2011 11:47:40 PM

Cribtop

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March 11, 1942

We report to battle with a heavy heart today given the results on the pitch. Congratulations to Japan, however. This victory was well fought on both sides and perhaps in a karmic sense Japan needed it more.

Subs

O-16 misses a truly enormous convoy of relocating transports as they pull into Singapore. The miss certainly gives CF intel that the quiet period following the fall of Singapore is coming to a close. I must again advocate for a tweak in sub targeting routines. The Dutch skipper shot at a CM when there were numerous tankers and xAKs present. It's ok to have a sub pop at an escort on occasion when it can't get past the screen, but it seems they actually favor shooting at fast targets when fatter prey is at hand.

4th Fleet

Beru occupied by rowboat. Our raiders are shooting the gap between Johnston Is and the Line Islands.

SE Fleet

Vella Lavella falls and Hansa Bay is invaded as our DBCLs crank up in this AO.

14th Army

Taking advantage of the lack of flak, our IJAAF bombers drop down to 7,000 feet and positively hammer Clark and Bataan, with 11 Supply hits and well over 100 runway hits between the two raids.

16th Army

We begin to unload 11th Air Fleet at Lomblen today. This will torp enable all Timor bases and sets almost the final predicate for Operation WD. Pickets will launch and we should begin loading tomorrow or the next day. We will recon Darwin on the approach to maintain surprise, but do not believe the base has been reinforced. It is in Oz that the extra divisions available due to the siege mentality on Luzon pays dividends. This operational decision is in keeping with our long term strategic goals for phase 2 (hint, hint, gentle readers).

25th Army

Singapore hits level 7 airfield as no less than four massive convoys relocate assault and merchant shipping forward. Three Oscar Sentai watch over this congregation, with 1 Sentai fully committed to CAP duties. No harm in being careful, we don't want a reverse Darwin raid.

MKB and Indes Fleet receive warning orders to weigh anchor tomorrow. The invasion of Sumatra has begun.

15th Army

Today our bombers deign to fly out of Rangoon and the DIS inflicted perhaps made the difference. We expected the base to fall but instead the enemy nets a 1:2, casualties 109(0) vs 11(0). Cribtop HQ now changes plans here as several factors go our way. First, obviously we stopped today's attack. In addition, 1st Raiding Regt managed to rebuild level 1 forts and happens to hit 50 prep points today, which IIRC will improve adjusted AV going forward. The unit is in excellent shape and we doubt the enemy can attack again tomorrow (although he might). We will ramp up bombing efforts, begin to fly in elements of 21st Mixed Brigade from Rangoon, and even change to a top flight commander (the current one isn't shabby but we are playing a game of inches here and the change cost exactly 1 PP). Akyab has the makings of a Horn Island style battle with the roles reversed. Fun.

China

Low altitude attacks at Sian pound the airfield and the supply dump nicely (we noticed flak is weak here, too - a good sign). One group of reinforcements are a few days out, while a fresh division bought out of Manchukuo rails into Sinyang to add to the party later. Estimate the first DA in approx 72 hours. Sian must fall!

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/17/2011 11:53:08 PM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/20/2011 7:49:28 PM

Cribtop

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March 12, 1942

A painful day for the Sons of Nippon, but not a fatal one by any means.

Subs

I-17 misses a DD near Pearl Harbor. Odd as this appeared to be a one ship TF, i.e. neither ASW nor a convoy. Escorts of Celebes Sea Squadron DC a Dutch sub as our ships move from Balikpapan to Kendari in preparation for Operation WD. Once again CF gets good intel. A Nell from Denpasar reports a hit on a sub that has been lurking near that base.

4th Fleet

Abemama invaded and taken by DBCL forces. We will soon be operating search planes out of TB, a harbinger of a more forceful IJNAF presence.

SE Fleet

We continue three separate DBCL TFs in operation, today seizing Hansa Bay. Three construction engineers load at Rabaul for Tulagi.

14th Army

No change.

16th Army

Pickets launch to safeguard the invasions of NW Oz and Java. Cribtop Intel doubts the enemy CVs are nearby, but that is just gut feeling. Plenty of time has elapsed for them to be anywhere by now. Of course, the same is true of MKB. The Operation WD force will load tomorrow at Kendari.

Nells out of Timor, now torp enabled, spot but fail to attack a three ship TF that appears to be running supplies or troops to Darwin. If the enemy continues on course the Nells and an I-boat should have something to say in the matter.

Denpasar is now fully supplied and we order sweeps of Madieon tomorrow. With recon all over the island and air attacks on the eastern half, we hope to confuse CF as to the ultimate targets at Palembang and Kalidjati.

25th Army

The Palembang invasion loads at Singapore, which is now amply supplied with fuel and assault shipping. The first of two headaches today is that Soryu collides with DD Oshio as MKB sails to cover the attack and to suppress Batavia. Oshio will retire to Saigon for repairs. Soryu has 14 major flotation damage but no SYS damage and can still make 29 knots, so she will proceed for now. Very frustrating. We had upped ASW coverage to the max with 12 DDs in each Car Div, but split a few off from each TF as Cribtop HQ is concerned that TF size played a factor in the collision. Anyone know when you cross the line on TF size?

We have plastered Palembang's airfield but plan to let up for a day or two to try to divert CF's attention. Estimate an attack by MKB on Batavia's full aerodrome within 48 hours and invasion timed to coincide.

15th Army

Both sides bomb Akyab but the Allies do not attack again. We appear to be able to fly in about 8 AS per day plus support troops, so the window is closing unless CF can scrape together reinforcements.

33rd Division is over the river and marching on Schwebo, which is held by a tiny rearguard. Imperial Guards Division is back to 100% strength and rails out from Singapore tomorrow, transferring to 15th Army AO. Will the Brits try to stand at Katha or Myitkyina or are they falling all the way back to India? We will soon find out. Air recon indicates Katha empty and only 1 LCU at Myitkyina, so we assume the latter.

Rangoon makes level 5 port.

China

Most AARs contain an ambush of the IJAAF in China at some point. Today is the day for this war. CF jumped the entire AVG to Sian and gets 42 planes in the air to oppose our daily airfield raid. Our 30 escorting Nates only allow one bomber to die on the way in, but the post air attack combat, plus a straggling group of 12 unescorted Lilys, ratchets the butcher's bill up.

Total losses per the Intel screen are 49:2 against us for the day. Fortunately the reality is not that bad as we appear to have lost 26 aircraft of all types, with about 17 pilots killed or wounded. Ugly but not fatal.

This effort tells Cribtop HQ two things about CF and one about Sian. First, CF places high importance on holding Sian. Second, by shifting AVG to China after initial efforts to defend Rangoon, our esteemed opponent arguably continues to follow a historical strategy. Regarding Sian, it unfortunately appears that the enemy had enough supply in the base to get a good number of fighters in the air, which bodes ill for a quick end to the siege.

5th Fleet

Semisopochni Island occupied by rowboat. And I thought Dutch names were hard to spell.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/21/2011 11:04:51 PM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/21/2011 11:20:01 PM

Cribtop

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March 13, 1942

The storm gathers today for the Dutch East Indes.

Subs

No contacts.

4th Fleet

TB hits level 1 airfield and will continue on up.

SE Fleet

No change.

14th Army

Beginning tomorrow we will lift out various forces from Luzon and Mindanao, shifting them to Singapore for use in Java, Oz and as theater reserve.

16th Army

Nells out of Koepang find and pounce on a re-supply convoy skirting the coast of NW Oz near Truscott. The big xAKs Lillian and Lewis Luckenbach succumb to multiple torpedo hits. This tells Cribtop Intel that supplies at Darwin are low enough that CF chose to risk these relatively valuable transports on a re-supply run. Good news for our invading forces, which today begin to load at Kendari as planned.

We sweep Madoien but none of the 20+ fighters is up on CAP. Interesting. Perhaps the enemy is holding his planes on stand down orders hoping to release a single alpha strike on D-Day. This could bode well for a devastating over the horizon air raid on Batavia that will launch from MKB on the 15th, with the Palembang Op hitting the beaches on the 16th. We will cease sweeping efforts in the hopes of encouraging CF to leave his planes on the fields.

25th Army

MKB will spend today and tomorrow moving to a point 7 hexes NNW of Batavia and will strike the full airfield there. Indes Fleet will divert towards the mouth of the river at Palembang and be in position to guard the opening for the invasion fleet. D-day on the 16th. We will load the Java Op just as soon as possible after that and go straight in. This should be an entertaining week!

15th Army

We again bomb the British troops outside of Akyab. Aerial recon indicates that a second LCU that entered the hex is a harmless base force. For a second day CF chooses not to attack on the ground. Our combat power grows here each day, but it's still a near run thing. We are considering shifting fighters from Burma to China to counter AVG, but hate to chase the enemy around. In fact, it could be argued that CF leaving his best planes and pilots in a backwater is to our advantage overall. We plan to recon Sian and see whether the fly boys stay or go in the next few days.

We get 1 regular SigInt hit and 1 "heavy volume" SigInt at Calcutta. Interesting, but all it reveals is that ships and planes are present at the base.

China

Reinforcements are 1 hex SE of Sian. The first DA is imminent. AVG and numerous transports are in the Sian hex per recon.

5th Fleet

Our rowboat crews continue their tour of the frozen north by occupying Great Sitkin Island. There are no more adjacent bases up here eligible for free occupation.

Other

Hordes of Naval Guard units arrive for 4th Fleet, along with a few dedicated A/T units and a nifty special base force. Most important of all, however, the unrestricted 25th Air Flotilla HQ arrives. We shall consider carefully where to place it.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/21/2011 11:34:57 PM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/21/2011 11:46:26 PM

ny59giants

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Starting in Feb 42, the Dutch get a few Hurricane IIb.
Then, in March 42, they get P-40E, B-25C, and DB-7.
Thus, I would expect CF to have trained up some of his poor pilots to be good enough for the "one shot and done" at your invasion forces. He probably has allowed you to destroy some of the obsolete Dutch planes on the ground while hoarding the best.
Just my $.02

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/22/2011 4:49:31 PM

Cribtop

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nygiants, we didn't bomb Madioen yesterday, just sweep. My hope is that the enemy is sitting on fields at Batavia tomorrow as well when MKB comes calling. Time will tell as the turn is away. Looking forward to the next replay.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/22/2011 5:12:54 PM

Cribtop

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March 14, 1942

Multiple invasions are now approaching the beaches...

Subs

I-10 spots four xAKs at Canton Island and will try for an intercept. We consider diverting the raiders in this direction but it's a bit too far.

Escorts of a TF that dropped 2nd Fleet HQ at Bangkok (for transit to Rangoon) chase off O16 near Singers as they return to base.

4th Fleet

The CVE Raiders have passed the Line Islands and turn south toward the Marquesas. A big AMC with Jakes is scouting the area and will be used as a poor man's AO to top off the raiders in a few days.

Kuria invaded and falls to the atoll SA. Just about got the Gilberts in the red now.

SE Fleet

Madang and Choiseul Bay invaded. In the Home Islands, yesterday's reinforcements board trains for Tokyo and shipment to the front. We load a convoy at Truk with initial garrisons and engineers for Eniewetok, Kusaie and Ponape (garrison only here as it already has engineers). These three islands will be stiffly defended in the future and we need to lay the groundwork early.

14th Army

Loading troops for shipment to other AOs. Cribtop HQ is planning to scrape something together to take out the few remaining garrisoned bases in the middle PI and is refining the plan to finish off the starving defenders of Clark in April.

16th Army

Operation WD fleet is loaded. We load supplies for one more day and then will sortie.

25th Army

MKB sails to the strike point 7 hexes off Batavia. We hope to bag many Dutch planes tomorrow and reduce the LBA risk to Operation SJ. The Palembang invasion fleet moves to within 80 miles of the objective tomorrow. Indes Fleet sails to cover. D-day on the 16th.

15th Army

Allied DA at Akyab misses badly due to our bombers and reinforcements. Odds 1:3, casualties 97(2) vs 21(0). Our level 1 forts hold and continue to build. The combat report also shows a (-) fatigue for the Indian Brigade. Nice.

It appears the Monsoon has kicked in, which will help us at Akyab but could hurt us if CF tries to hold a corner of Burma near Myitkyina.

Other

BB California reported as sunk for the first time today. Perhaps our PH strike was much nastier than it appeared at first blush.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/23/2011 4:13:47 AM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/23/2011 4:24:10 AM

Cribtop

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March 15, 1942

Air Raid... Java... This is not a drill!

Subs

I-8 torpedoes a big TK in a convoy full of TKs just west of Pearl on the inbound (empty) leg. Oh, if only the CVE Raiders had stumbled across this prime target!

4th Fleet

The aforementioned raiders will soon RV with a milch cow just north of the Marquesas and will evaluate options.

SE Fleet

Rossel Island invaded. Madang and Choiseul Bay fall.

14th Army

No change.

16th Army

Pickets move into position. All looks clear. Operation WD fleet is ordered to weigh anchor tomorrow. We will start reconning Darwin and Wyndham literally days before the fleet arrives.

25th Army

MKB sits at 7 hexes out. She is finally spotted by Dutch search planes just minutes before a massive airfield strike hits home. 90 Zeros sweep for no reason as there is no CAP - just as Cribtop HQ hoped. Banzai!

21 Bettys out of Sinkawang and 154 Kates from MKB shatter the undefended airfield for over 18 airbase hits, 16 supply dump hits and 130 runway hits. Better by far, we destroy at least 28 aircraft on the ground (possibly 37 depending on which source you believe), including fighters, Catalinas, Vildebeests and 139s. Many more planes than that are left in a damaged state. Our losses are 3 Kates and 2 Zeros downed by a lucky flak hit, Ops, and a barrage balloon (the only airborn opposition

).

While it's only the Dutch, this raid achieves its operational purpose, namely reducing the danger to our invasion of Palembang from LBA. Said invasion will go in during the pre-dawn darkness tomorrow. MKB will withdraw a bit and provide LRCAP.

15th Army

No further attacks at Akyab. The crisis here has passed for now. Movement arrows for the enemy's big stack north of Schwebo show some LCUs moving towards Kalemyo and some towards Myitkyina.

China

Reinforcements at last arrive at Sian. A day or two to get supply in the white and we will try a DA.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/23/2011 4:28:29 AM >

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/23/2011 9:26:35 AM

ny59giants

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Tracker is always the best source to evaluate air losses.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/23/2011 5:51:31 PM

Cribtop

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In that case, the best estimate is 29 a/c destroyed. We estimate a similar number damaged (although how many can be repaired overnight is an open question). The whole idea was to damage the Palembang airfield (currently 70% damaged with big raids coming tomorrow) and to attrit CF's Dutch squadrons so that he couldn't jump into Palembang and interfere with the landings. By the time of the Java landings, we will have LBA support from the captured Palembang field.

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RE: Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop ... - 7/23/2011 8:27:19 PM

Cribtop

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March 16, 1942

Subs

I-8 misses a DD near PH. Wouldn't want to shoot any of the juicy TKs guarded by only 2 escorts. That would be wrong.

Fortunately, sinking sounds indicate the TK from yesterday went down. DD Walke continues its odd loner ASW crusade against I-17 NE of Pearl without effect.

4th Fleet

A Val from our CVE Raiders claims it spots 9 ships near Malden Island. We get excited but it was probably a sub or phantom. Hopefully that doesn't tip off CF to our location.

SE Fleet

Rossel Island falls.

14th Army

16th Division is loaded and will sail for Singers tomorrow.

16th Army

Operation WD fleet is about level with the eastern tip of Timor. Air recon begins tomorrow. No sign of the enemy from our pickets.

25th Army

Palembang is invaded with minimal losses. Escorts do a good job suppressing the small CD guns, only four minor hits to transports and acceptable casualties as we go in. No air attacks are launched against any of our TFs in the region. Raw AS is 527:54 (thank goodness CF didn't go Fortress Sumatra - Dan, I'm looking at you!

). Southern Sumatra is all but a Japanese colony. Only question is how much damage the facilities sustain when we take the base.

15th Army

Schwebo occupied by rowboat, err... by river canoe?

Cuttlefish unleashes his surface fleet on Akyab, bombarding with 4 CAs (mostly Brits but also Houston), 3 CLs and 9 DDs. The base is plastered but not closed. He is probably trying to kill our supplies (which he did) and close the field to prevent air reinforcement. Both sides bomb the ground troops in the hex.

The composition of the Allied bombardment TF reveals some interesting data. First, the formation of this unit is probably the reason we got a heavy volume SigInt hit at Calcutta recently. Second, the lack of BBs is evidence that his heavies are still laid up from the rough treatment administered by our Nells at Nicobar Island. Third, the inclusion of Houston and several USN DDs in this force is evidence that CF plans to abandon the DEI to its fate. Not at all conclusive evidence, but interesting.

China

Supplies flow into Sian. DA tomorrow. Hard to tell how this will go. We have one more division marching up to Sian.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 7/23/2011 8:34:18 PM >

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