SqzMyLemon
Posts: 4239
Joined: 10/30/2009 From: Alberta, Canada Status: offline
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Aug. 31/42: D+2 Another month in the books! First off, I am an idiot. No counter air assault against Rangpur, or bombing of any forces in the area, so I could have left everybody in strategic mode. However, in this case I'm happy to have been wrong. Every day I don't get bombed is a win in my book. The mouse over from yesterday showing Allied units one hex west of Rangpur still applies, but this new screenshot with mouse over shows the reinforcements that arrived at Rangpur today. Unfortunately, the divisions that were to advance on Darjeeling will be delayed having to march to Ranchi first. In light of my mistake, I have ordered two U.K. Armoured Bde.'s to race for the base. A small armoured unit is ordered to rush to Tezpur in the hopes it can be reached before it's reinforced. If I can capture Tezpur quickly, I could threaten an early move towards Dimapur. I get ahead of myself though, first up is secure Rangpur and capture Darjeeling to secure my supply lines. Transport planes are ordered to air drop supply at Rangpur daily. I was surprised that no Japanese bombers targeted my troops strung out along the rail line and wondered if they were grounded due to weather. They weren't. Instead, the remaining squads of 1st USMC Parachute Bn. were wiped out by air attack. When I saw the numbers I couldn't help but think complete overkill. I gained a day at Rangpur because of Andre's bloodlust to destroy units, no matter the situation. Those bombers could have wreaked havoc along the rail line and caused sever disruption/delay in getting to Rangpur, not to mention adding days and days of bombing my units in clear terrain. As I mentioned previously, both 1st and 2nd USMC Parachute Bn.'s have fragments available to replenish the units in India. They will be back and their sacrifice played a key role in capturing Rangpur and disrupting Japanese movements. Jessore AAR follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 1st USMC Parachute Battalion, at 53,37 (Jessore) Weather in hex: Partial cloud Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 5 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 Ki-21-IIa Sally x 105 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 4 Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 14 Ki-48-Ib Lily x 30 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-21-IIa Sally: 11 damaged Ki-48-Ib Lily: 6 damaged Allied ground losses: 492 casualties reported Squads: 29 destroyed, 6 disabled Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 20 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb 30 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb 30 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb 24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb 24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb Now, I fully expect to suffer daily air attacks at Rangpur, but getting to the base in strength was key. It's now up to me to make air interdiction at Rangpur too costly for Japanese air units to stomach. Turning to Allied air operations, the bomber raid against Calcutta went ahead, but it was indeed costly. The day before weather over Calcutta was clear skies, so I had hoped for something similar. Instead, severe storms and efficient Japanese CAP greeted a lovely coordinated 4E strike. The initial losses weren't bad, but a dreaded post-air attack padded the numbers of downed bombers. I actually thought the CAP rather weak when I first saw it, but poor defensive shooting and two air interceptions against my main raid was the difference. The bombers were unlucky today. I believe it was the worst day of the war for the 4E's, with a total of 14 B-17E's and 2 B-24D's shot down. Ouch. Damage to the airbase was obviously reduced due to the storms, so a golden opportunity to plaster Calcutta was missed. On the bright side, 18 Japanese aircraft were destroyed on the ground and a number shot down in A2A. AAR's follow: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 23 Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 24 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 70 B-24D Liberator x 18 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 3 destroyed on ground Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed on ground Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 14 damaged B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged Japanese ground losses: 14 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled) Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on 5th Division, at 52,37 (Calcutta) Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 32 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 9 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 13 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 6 Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 26 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 20 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged Japanese ground losses: 28 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled Aircraft Attacking: 10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb 9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: Kanoya Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (13 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 13 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 25000 Raid is overhead 24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (19 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 19 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 Raid is overhead 68th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (7 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes 260th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) (6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 45 minutes Aircraft Attacking: 9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb 9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb 9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb 11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb 9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 12000 feet Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb 10 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Ground Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: 68th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (6 airborne, 18 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 17000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 7 minutes 260th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (6 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling) 6 plane(s) intercepting now. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 16000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 10 minutes Also attacking 4th Tank Regiment ... Also attacking Calcutta ... Also attacking 4th Tank Regiment ... Also attacking Calcutta ... Also attacking 5th Division ... Also attacking 4th Tank Regiment ... Also attacking Calcutta ... Also attacking 4th Tank Regiment ... Also attacking Calcutta ... Also attacking 143rd Infantry Regiment ... Also attacking 4th Tank Regiment ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning Air attack on Calcutta , at 52,37 Weather in hex: Severe storms Raid detected at 38 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet. Estimated time to target is 11 minutes Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 4 Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 1 Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 12 Allied aircraft B-17E Fortress x 11 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed on ground Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged Airbase hits 2 Runway hits 2 Aircraft Attacking: 11 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb CAP engaged: Kanoya Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 4 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 361 minutes 24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 73 minutes 68th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) intercepting now. 3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 17 minutes 260th Sentai with Ki-43-IIa Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling) 1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact. Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000. Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes The bombers will get the day off tomorrow to recover somewhat and restore morale. A few squadrons took the brunt of the losses. It may have been costly, but bombing Calcutta will force Japanese fighter assets to CAP the base and not be available for sweep or escort missions over Rangpur. It will hopefully lighten the load for my fighters on CAP. In other news, big time Japanese naval bombardment at Madras with BB Yamato and friends. AAR follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Naval bombardment of Madras at 35,40 Japanese Ships BB Yamato BB Mutsu CA Mikuma CL Natori DD Okikaze DD Sawakaze DD Minekaze Allied ground losses: 67 casualties reported Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled Vehicles lost 12 (12 destroyed, 0 disabled) BB Yamato firing at 267th Armoured Brigade BB Mutsu firing at 267th Armoured Brigade E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Mikuma CA Mikuma firing at 267th Armoured Brigade CL Natori firing at 267th Armoured Brigade DD Okikaze firing at 267th Armoured Brigade DD Sawakaze firing at 267th Armoured Brigade DD Minekaze firing at 267th Armoured Brigade I knew this was coming and perhaps shouldn't have contested Madras until I have a counter in place. I've decided to withdraw from the base and consolidate my position, expand more airbases and deploy strong naval LBA to counter these bombardments. Especially if Andre is going to linger at the base in the future. I have a few ideas and things are already in motion. Other than the bombardment, the only other action in Southern India was a few Allied sweeps over Salem and Madras that downed 3 A6M2's. A few bombing raids by both sides targeted Madras and Salem, but casualties were light all around. Last up...China. Japanese forces attack a Chinese blocking force near Tienshui. China holds, but no more supply. AAR follows: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 81,39 (near Tienshui) Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 99284 troops, 932 guns, 313 vehicles, Assault Value = 3514 Defending force 45878 troops, 174 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1830 Japanese adjusted assault: 1542 Allied adjusted defense: 2689 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 Combat modifiers Defender: terrain(+), experience(-), supply(-) Attacker: Japanese ground losses: 3889 casualties reported Squads: 16 destroyed, 649 disabled Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 48 disabled Engineers: 2 destroyed, 47 disabled Allied ground losses: 1416 casualties reported Squads: 15 destroyed, 280 disabled Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 55 disabled Engineers: 4 destroyed, 14 disabled Assaulting units: 39th Division 3rd Division 37th Division 32nd Division 70th Division 35th Division 17th Division 51st Engineer Regiment 26th Division 13th Army 1st Army 15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment 12th Army 6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment 4th Mortar Battalion 52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion 3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment Defending units: 3rd Chinese Corps 76th Chinese Corps 9th Chinese Corps 57th Chinese Corps 80th Chinese Corps 14th Group Army 34th Group Army Fun times in India, not so much in China. Loving the game at the moment and it's so nice to see the initial stages of my offensive going well. Let's see what D+3 holds in store for the Allies.
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< Message edited by SqzMyLemon -- 7/25/2015 3:27:39 AM >
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Luck is the residue of design - John Milton Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
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