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April 3rd, 1943

 
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April 3rd, 1943 - 6/20/2019 3:52:26 PM   
Anachro


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Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		April 3rd, 1943

Interesting scenario. I go ahead with landings as recon showed Diego Garcia light except for 4 CAs. This turn, I manage to land at and take Colombo while paras drops and prevent John from moving 30k troops he had at Trincomalee. That's the good news. The bad? Well, first, John stages a raid on Midway where a number of subs had just return from mission for small repair and refuel. I lose ten. Second, John's KB2 appears, to the northwest of my amphibious invasion. Interesting how my patrol planes never picked it up previously.

John clearly plans to cut off my retreat north; and his subs are also positioned for that. But I can, perhaps, retreat south! My carriers (excepting for the CVL Hermes) have enough fuel to reach Perth, Australia and run from this very turn in the opposite direction of what John probably expects. My other TFs, of course, cannot. I have two options: 1) I can send them south and east towards my bases at Calcutta or Madras, etc. where I can stack immense amounts of fighters/bombers or 2) I can send them to Trivandrum where, again, I can stack immense amounts of fighters?

What would you do? I don't have two worry about John's carriers elsewhere because I know the location of both KBs. My main carrier force, unfortunately, just went south two turns ago from Pearl, headed to Australia to help with some future invasions.




(in reply to Anachro)
Post #: 1201
RE: April 3rd, 1943 - 6/20/2019 3:54:20 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		A lot of troops are still unloading at Colombo which is part of the equation. I have LSI(L)'s and APA's there as well.

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Post #: 1202
RE: April 3rd, 1943 - 6/20/2019 3:58:29 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I definitely wouldn't run for Perth. Too far. And John might be able to use flank speed to advantage (he'll have refueling points en route) while you wouldn't.

Why not hole up at Colombo and dare him to come? Can't you put a bunch of LBA fighters there to provide cover for all your ships?

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Post #: 1203
RE: April 3rd, 1943 - 6/20/2019 3:59:46 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		Colombo AF is at 100 damage

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1204
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:00:12 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
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From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

In circumstances like this, John would ordinarily have a big carrier force hidden somewhere nearby, ready to pounce. You may know where all his carriers are, but if not.....

Good luck.


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Post #: 1205
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:01:35 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		Yes, I remembered that. Which is why I pulled back and recon'd! Oh well. These are the moments of fun. I could also run my carriers to Madras where, again, I have a level 9 AF.

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Post #: 1206
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:05:55 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		If I chose to run, I don't think I'd round Ceylon and make for Madras. I'd rather round Ceylon and head due east, as if bound for Akyab. That keeps more distance between you and his carriers.

How many carrier fighters do you have?

Is this the first turn you have detection on his carriers? If so, his aircraft numbers are probably considerably higher than reported.

If you can't stay and fight on decent terms, your only option (as I see it) is to send all your good ships at flank speed towards Akyab (later your can re-vector to Calcutta or another safe port). I wouldn't slow down the valuable ships (combat vessels, carriers, high-value assault shipping) by providing cover for lower value, slower merchantmen.

But you know all this.

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Post #: 1207
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:18:14 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		I was thinking similarly to CR - either scatter all the transports so he can't corner them all or sail them east and take all the BBs, CLs and DDs shown there and throw them at his carriers. I think you outnumber him in aggregate and he cannot afford to get heavily damaged with Colombo SY now in your hands.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1208
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:24:28 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		John will expect you to run south or east, IMO, if he knows he has significant carrier superiority and if Trivandrum doesn't have a big airfield (if it does, then perhaps that's a viable option to flee to). Take into consideration the fact that he may assume you're going to flee S or E.

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Post #: 1209
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:26:37 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		all his carriers are either off midway or where they are north of ceylon, he can come after me with surface vessels, that's about it

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Post #: 1210
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:27:59 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		I'm referring to his carriers. If he has (or thinks he has) serious superiority, he knows you're going to run, and that means east. So he may use flank speed to close.

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Post #: 1211
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:29:02 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		That's true, I'm feeling like my best bet is Trivandrum with everything, using immense CAP plus carrier CAP. My BB's should soak up some damage.

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Post #: 1212
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:33:38 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		The question is whether he could win the race and catch up to you before you neared Akyab or Chittagong or Calcutta. How many hexes is KB from Columbo at the moment? Assuming he runs flank speed for consecutive turns, could he catch your best stuff (mainly your carriers and CAs)? If it's unlikely, then you could divide your forces, the faster combat/carriers heading east and the slower stuff taking refuge at Trivandrum (as long as it has an airfield of size four or larger, enough to hold sufficient fighters to hurt him if he attacks). He's going to be somewhat leery of taking on a hardened LBA target. He may also be frustrated that you found his carriers this turn - he may have hoped for one more day to close before springing. If so, he could even elect to back down.

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Post #: 1213
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:42:01 PM   
BBfanboy


Posts: 18046
Joined: 8/4/2010
From: Winnipeg, MB
Status: offline 		Recently in another AAR a player saved the bulk of his forces by predicting the KB would come south at flank speed and instead of running in that direction he sent his transports at flank to the NNE. The trick worked, with KB being too far from his transports to spot them, but that was in an area where the IJN did not have Patrol aircraft in range.
But if you are going to send stuff to Trivandrum, why not keep going at flank up the West coast of India. The IJN will likely move at flank to the SE and you could dodge far enough to be out of range. Then he would have to consider whether to take his forces north into air range of Bombay or Karachi.

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1214
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 4:44:50 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		He is currently 20 hexes from Colombo. I think it's possible with multiple flanks to do a long strike against my combat vessels. Trivandrum is a level 8(6) airfield and can field 11 groups. Sadly, it's only 24% towards level 9 at the moment. It could be a means to wear down the number of planes on his carriers if he has to strike a target there first. Keep in mind Cochin is only 3 hexes from Trivandrum and has a level 4 airfield. Tanjore has a level 8 airfield as well.

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1215
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/20/2019 5:33:40 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		If Trivandrum is level 8, that might be the best option and it might explain why John has 600 subs between there and Colombo. He isn't going to risk his carriers vs. a level 8 airfield. That means he's hoping his subs will harvest some of your ships. I think I would divide my forces in two - the fast guys going east towards Akyab at flank speed and the slower guys going to Trivandrum, holing up under max CAP. His subs are going to score a few hits, in all likelihood, but your guys are probably going to get away in good shape.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 6/20/2019 5:34:12 PM >

(in reply to Anachro)
Post #: 1216
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 1:33:42 AM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		After a review and a few hours thinking, I do not think the situation nearly as dire as earlier today. This is KB2 and I have a lot of patrol craft in the area, by which I mean I'm pretty sure on the plane totals. That is: his plane totals are ~200 fighters and ~250 bombers. This points to 6 carrier equivalents and some CVLs/CVEs. John, in his email, referred to this force as KB2. KB1, has at least 270 fighters. I can stack 231 fighters as Trivandrum, were my carriers to move there, they could provide additional ~100 fighters to the CAP. These do not include additional LRCAP from nearby bases. I don't see how John makes it through that without serious damage to his bombers.

Moreover, John will need to devote some of his fighters to CAP for fear of naval strike from me (but assuming he dedicates all his fighters to striking, I'd still outnumber him. I think I can come off in relative good shape were I to dot his, but it is a risk as it puts my ships in harms way of his strikes and subs. If I did, all my ships would move so my BBs could soak up some bomb hits and protect against surface action by John.

John's other potential move is to go further north and hit the transports and BB/CL/DDs at Calicut. In this case, it also might be safer to send them all to Trivandrum to get safety from the CAP there...

Decisions.

< Message edited by Anachro -- 6/21/2019 1:37:44 AM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)
Post #: 1217
RE: March 28th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 8:42:40 AM   
CaptBeefheart


Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline 		If you haven't already submitted your turn, Triv seems like a good place to move everything from Ceylon to, especially if you have surface superiority. You may lose a couple of vessels to subs, but if his subs are all spotted, they may not get too many shots off. His loss of Colombo will hurt if you manage to damage some of his ships. Speaking of Colombo, is it safe for the moment? Do you have enough supply to last a few days?

One thing you might consider is you'd get half CAP if you send your CV/CVLs directly to the base. You might want to land base some of your ship-borne fighters if you do that.

Cheers,
CB

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to Anachro)
Post #: 1218
April 4th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 1:30:30 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		April 4th, 1943

John further bombs Midway today, sinking some support ships. In India, his carriers move closer (and recon shows significant surface forces and more planes than expected). However, probably because he did not want to deal with the CAP, he does not fly his planes. So no air action there this turn. However, I send MTB's in the direction I expected him to go and they, well, they are in interesting locations relative to John's forces. As for my transports, figuring that if a strike came it would be against the main targets at Trivandrum, I elect to continue to unload troops and supply now 1000 AV and 20k supply is ashore at Colombo. I don't think it is falling any time soon. Sadly, my LSI(I) force did not move north as ordered inexplicably, despite not being set to unload, remain on station, or following any other force.

The real question is what to do now. If I were John, I'd first bombard Trivandrum in the night or day naval phases before sending in the air fleet. This is what I'm expecting, so it might not make sense to keep my massed planes there. If he continues to move south, I could flank speed further north up towards Bombay and be safely out of range. Either expecting this or in fear of my own surface vessels, he could also move north and hit me where I have less or no CAP. I could leave a BB/CA/CL/DD force at Trivandrum to try and soak up or prevent a bombardment. I, of course, will be sending my MTB's to attack his TFs. What might be best would be to flank speed my transports to Trivandrum and hope they can get in port, keep a strong surface force in to prevent bombardment, send my carriers and a number of surface vessels flanking north to Bombay, keep my CAP up at Trivandrum, maybe even send a surface force at his units in a suicidal, risky attempt to interrupt his TFs in their movements.

The catch to all this is if he anticipates and moves north, whatever I send that way is screwed. I could also, again, send my transports east. Thoughts?




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Post #: 1219
RE: April 4th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 1:38:57 PM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		The time for scattering has passed, IMO. For you to scattered and flee a safe haven right in the presence of a large enemy force commanded by an (apparently) enthused opponent is to invite defeat in detail.

I think I'd figure out a way to hunker down and dare John to attack a hardened target. This is assuming your surface combat forces aren't totally outclassed. If you can fight, you can be creative with your forces, disbanding some in port, leaving some in TF (thus John's strike aircraft would have a harder time ganging up, as he'd have to choose between Port or Naval missions). You can deploy some PT boats, small combat ships, etc. to try to mess up his aim.

Does he have a good picture as to just what you have a Trivandrum? He's going to be uber wary of that level eight airfield. Unless he's POSITIVE you don't have decent aircraft, he's not going to chance it. He's probably hoping to flush you from your safe haven. Don't flush. Stare him down.

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Post #: 1220
RE: April 4th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 3:09:44 PM   
HansBolter


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Joined: 7/6/2006
From: United States
Status: offline 		I agree completely with CR.

Is the 231 fighters you can stack at Tiv a support limit or just how many you have in transfer range?

I wouldn't be worrying about stacking the airfield beyond support limits and would load it up with every last fighter in transfer range.

The caveat, of course, is the danger of having your LBA rendered inoperable by a heavy bombardment.

Your surface forces really need to win the day, or night as it were, to keep the airfield in the equation.

Make the target as hard as possible!

_____________________________

Hans


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Post #: 1221
RE: April 4th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 3:37:00 PM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		Turn sent. I opted for...aggressiveness.

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Post #: 1222
RE: April 4th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 4:04:51 PM   
Lowpe


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Anachro

Turn sent. I opted for...aggressiveness.



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Post #: 1223
RE: April 4th, 1943 - 6/21/2019 11:19:30 PM   
Bif1961


Posts: 2014
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From: Phenix City, Alabama
Status: offline 		Anticipation, is making me wait.

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Post #: 1224
April 5th, 1943 - 6/22/2019 12:00:32 AM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		April 5th, 1943

I always make you guys anticipate and than nothing happens! No air attacks, no surface combat. My battleships move out but encounter nothing, neither do my MTBs and PTs. I think John moved all his ships north, west, and then south again. Interestingly, despite my battleships being very close, he launches no bombers and doesn't even get very good DL on my battle fleets. He has all the DL at Trivandrum. Canoerebel might be onto something in thinking he might perhaps be trying to flesh me out of my port.

The question is, where does John go from here? Both a Dutch sub and patrol craft spotted another Japanese force south of Ceylon, seemingly only composed of fighters, moving west. The sub confirms that a CVL (CVL Kushiro) is in the TF. Does John move southeast and attempt to link up with his other carrier(s)? Does he once again head north in case I try and flee? I haven't really moved from Trivandrum for the last few turns after all. Moreover, given the positioning of my battleships, John might want to move southeast of west, not north where he might run into them. What do you think John would do? What should the prudent commander do?

1. Remain in fortress Trivandrum. Though, John is building fighters up on Ceylon as my base-bombing campaign has subsided somewhat.

2.Move my remaining transports at Bombay back to Trivandrum and keep CAP in place to protect them. Send surface vessels that can be safely sent north at flank speed. My carriers have had their planes offloaded and can be near or north of Goa within the day. The slower battlewagons might have problems and could stay to harden Trivandrum. My two BB forces that moved towards John can also perhaps flee north.

3. What else?


(in reply to Bif1961)
Post #: 1225
RE: April 5th, 1943 - 6/22/2019 12:03:14 AM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		Potential flank speed path of my carriers. Note they have enough fuel to make it to Bombay at flank.


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Post #: 1226
RE: April 5th, 1943 - 6/22/2019 12:07:34 AM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		Prince of Wales and her escorts. And so on and so forth... Of course, I can just send everything back to Trivandrum. But fighter buildup on Ceylon and his new fighter-dedicated CVL on its way all seem to suggest he is building fighter strength for sweeps on Trivandrum.


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Post #: 1227
RE: April 5th, 1943 - 6/22/2019 12:21:06 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Why are you toying with the idea of flank speed runs now? You have way more facts at hand than we readers do, but I can't see abandoning the safety of Trivandrum at this point. You can overload the airfield, as another reader mentioned. He's afraid of your hardened-target. Don't let him spook you.

(in reply to Anachro)
Post #: 1228
RE: April 5th, 1943 - 6/22/2019 12:43:08 AM   
Anachro


Posts: 2506
Joined: 11/23/2015
From: The Coastal Elite
Status: offline 		I feel like I can create a hardened target while getting select ships to safety. My CVs, for instance. I'd need to keep a decent amount of surface ships around to stave off bombardment.

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Post #: 1229
RE: April 5th, 1943 - 6/22/2019 12:56:22 AM   
Canoerebel


Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline 		Movement in the face of the enemy is inherently risky. Why move from an already-hard target to find another? Be prepare and let him come. He'd take a licking, I think. And he knows it. He's showing respect for your base. Don't you have a sub-continent full of fighters that you can call on?

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Post #: 1230
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