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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/18/2021 1:50:59 AM

DesertWolf101

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February 2-6, 1943

Over the last week, Andy continued to push hard in India with my forces pulling back in relatively good order with the exception of the 14th Division that failed to rail out of Bhopal before the arrival of enemy armor units. Even though it had orders to move, it remained in place with the enemy arriving the next turn. I have noticed that strategic movement is hit and miss since I have also had units comply and move in identical situations (witch an enemy unit arriving next turn). But I digress - it will hold out in the base while I bring in a hundred transport aircraft to evacuate whatever I can before its certain destruction.

I smashed in a couple of Andy's failed airborne landings, mauled one of his armored regiments that got in too close, and continued to shoot down enemy aircraft in significant numbers. The combination of paratroopers, heavy bombers, and fast moving allied armor is definitely a tough combination to deal with however in India's expansive and open terrain. Andy has really brought in the whole party to India - I wouldn't be surprised if he has the equivalent of 30 divisions of troops in the operation. Japanese forces are pulling back towards Calcutta, Burma, and Madras.

In other news, Russian armor crossed over into China from Alma-Ata and took Urumchi.

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< Message edited by DesertWolf101 -- 3/18/2021 2:26:32 AM >

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/18/2021 2:00:04 AM

DesertWolf101

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Another day in the air war over India. Andy continues to lean heavily on his Soviet aircraft (the turn before this one I shot down 25 IL-2 aircraft). He has an overwhelming quantitative advantage in the air but my heroic fighter pilots are an incredible sight to behold in action. I did suffer a bit of bloody nose a few turns back when I lost 32 bombers in an attack on one of his airfields (talk about massed flak!) but I also destroyed an identical number of enemy aircraft on the ground during the raid as compensation.

The George will start production later this month. Can't wait! My plan is to use four of six factories to continue researching the tree and swing two of the remaining to active production while increasing their size. I desperately need George fighters in large numbers but I don't want to shortchange my research...

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/18/2021 2:16:53 AM

DesertWolf101

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Here are my top pilots. The IJN is dominating the list which is another reason why I want the George as quickly as possible.

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Post #: 1083

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/18/2021 3:20:19 PM

DesertWolf101

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January 7, 1943

Andy launched a full scale aerial offensive against Bombay today. I had a Tojo Sentai and a Nick Sentai on duty defending the city's airspace and they did stellar work batting away wave after wave of Andy's best fighters (2 Corsair and 3 P-38 sweeps with Wildcats/Martlets in the mix) before eventually facing massed and escorted (more P-38s) heavy bombers. The heavy bomber defensive guns were finally too much for the exhausted fighters but they still managed to bring 5 of the beasts down.

Unfortunately, what would have been an excellent day in the air (only 5 KIA pilots in the two Sentai) was marred by a Nell squadron deciding to impale itself against Dutch Harbor's defenses. I had forgotten to remove its ground attack stance following the destruction of a US infantry regiment left over from Operation Jagged Peaks that was hiding out in the swamps near Cold Bay.

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< Message edited by DesertWolf101 -- 3/18/2021 3:22:13 PM >

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Post #: 1084

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/18/2021 4:21:16 PM

DanielAClark

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quote:

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark
I dont see why Andy would invade Burma...there is limited value in doing so. China is already out...and he wont make much progress until he has naval superiority, at which point other, more important targets become more vulnerable.

Allied ground forces need something to do, and Burma is the only place available without amphibious capabilities. Even more so given the decimated state of Allied naval assets

AFAIR no AAR ever went without Burma front in 43-44

Ah, well you are right...the Allies would continue to Burma...

But I doubt they would be using all 30ish divisions.

But hey, I could be wrong!

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Post #: 1085

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 12:57:35 AM

DesertWolf101

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark

quote:

ORIGINAL: GetAssista

quote:

ORIGINAL: DanielAClark
I dont see why Andy would invade Burma...there is limited value in doing so. China is already out...and he wont make much progress until he has naval superiority, at which point other, more important targets become more vulnerable.

Allied ground forces need something to do, and Burma is the only place available without amphibious capabilities. Even more so given the decimated state of Allied naval assets

AFAIR no AAR ever went without Burma front in 43-44

Ah, well you are right...the Allies would continue to Burma...

But I doubt they would be using all 30ish divisions.

But hey, I could be wrong!

I don't think you are totally off Daniel. I think it is extremely likely that Andy will pursue my forces into Burma, but certainly not with all his forces and I expect him to try to open another front in the year ahead. The question is where?

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Post #: 1086

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 2:03:53 AM

DesertWolf101

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February 8-9, 1943

On the 8th of February Andy sent in a force of battleships and cruisers to plaster Bombay, destroying 29 aircraft on the ground. None of my pilots were killed which is the most important consideration but given the severe disparity in aircraft numbers in India the loss still hurts quite a bit.

The next day dawned much better for the Japanese. I mauled a force of Vengeance I dive-bombers that he sent closer to the front to support his troops and caught two of his advancing armored/motorized brigades as they crossed into Patna which I have been stealthily preparing for this purpose. The Japanese will counterattack the next turn. Andy also dropped some more Chindits, this time on Rangpur, and found the 5th Division waiting. This is the third time I have or will annihilate an airborne landing, so hopefully he is starting to run low on readily available paratroopers.

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< Message edited by DesertWolf101 -- 3/19/2021 2:04:55 AM >

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 3:49:33 AM

DesertWolf101

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Ceylon

Given I am gradually withdrawing entirely from India, what do you guys think I should do with my position in Ceylon? My inclination is to pull out of there given the risk of having my troops trapped and destroyed on the island. If he didn't have plenty of airbases in southern India within easy reach of Ceylon I would consider holding on for many more months, especially since I have naval superiority. Those airfields though make me think it's better to pull out - thoughts?

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Post #: 1088

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 9:29:32 AM

Ambassador

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

Ceylon

Given I am gradually withdrawing entirely from India, what do you guys think I should do with my position in Ceylon? My inclination is to pull out of there given the risk of having my troops trapped and destroyed on the island. If he didn't have plenty of airbases in southern India within easy reach of Ceylon I would consider holding on for many more months, especially since I have naval superiority. Those airfields though make me think it's better to pull out - thoughts?

Holding to Ceylon looks dangerous to me. As you say, there are plenty of bases in Southern India, within range and easily buildable. Perfect spot to engage in an attritional air war if you�re inclined to defend in the air, or to set up a good training ground for bombers if you don�t (of if you do, after he�s got the upper hand). Once Ceylon can�t be used to base planes, it�s a pow camp without guards (contrary to what Calcutta or Bombay would be : there, if you don�t keep a guard force, the defenders may sally forth).

Ceylon would be really hard to defend if you don�t have naval superiority. Once parity is achieved (or even earlier if the Indian bases are built up enough), if the Allies want to get it back, they will. If they don�t, you�ve stuck troops there for naught.

I wouldn�t pull out everything, though. Keep a small, disposable force, on the island. If you pull everything and everyone, Andy can simply paradrop a few soldiers to conquer the island completely. If you leave a small force, he has to mount a naval invasion, which will slow him a bit (and provide an opportunity for an ambush).

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Post #: 1089

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 1:20:43 PM

DesertWolf101

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Ambassador

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101

Ceylon

Given I am gradually withdrawing entirely from India, what do you guys think I should do with my position in Ceylon? My inclination is to pull out of there given the risk of having my troops trapped and destroyed on the island. If he didn't have plenty of airbases in southern India within easy reach of Ceylon I would consider holding on for many more months, especially since I have naval superiority. Those airfields though make me think it's better to pull out - thoughts?

Holding to Ceylon looks dangerous to me. As you say, there are plenty of bases in Southern India, within range and easily buildable. Perfect spot to engage in an attritional air war if you�re inclined to defend in the air, or to set up a good training ground for bombers if you don�t (of if you do, after he�s got the upper hand). Once Ceylon can�t be used to base planes, it�s a pow camp without guards (contrary to what Calcutta or Bombay would be : there, if you don�t keep a guard force, the defenders may sally forth).

Ceylon would be really hard to defend if you don�t have naval superiority. Once parity is achieved (or even earlier if the Indian bases are built up enough), if the Allies want to get it back, they will. If they don�t, you�ve stuck troops there for naught.

I wouldn�t pull out everything, though. Keep a small, disposable force, on the island. If you pull everything and everyone, Andy can simply paradrop a few soldiers to conquer the island completely. If you leave a small force, he has to mount a naval invasion, which will slow him a bit (and provide an opportunity for an ambush).

Thank you for this, I am of a very similar mind. I will keep a small residual force behind but will evacuate the bulk of the garrison.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 1:22:34 PM

DesertWolf101

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February 10, 1943

The Patna ambush concludes with the mauling of two mobile enemy brigades.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 1:40:08 PM

GetAssista

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesertWolf101
Ceylon

Given I am gradually withdrawing entirely from India, what do you guys think I should do with my position in Ceylon? My inclination is to pull out of there given the risk of having my troops trapped and destroyed on the island. If he didn't have plenty of airbases in southern India within easy reach of Ceylon I would consider holding on for many more months, especially since I have naval superiority. Those airfields though make me think it's better to pull out - thoughts?

Ceylon is your anchor denying Allies naval base (together with your plan on holding to Bombay) and entry to the Indian ocean. The latter is necessary to supply land war in Burma. Ceylon also has an inland airbase safe from coastal bombardments. Given your naval superiority it is far too early to plan withdrawal. You can win the airwar above Ceylon in 43, at least the first half.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 1:48:25 PM

PaxMondo

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'43 with the George/Frank you should own the air yet ... both qualitatively and quantitatively you should be superior. If he wants to try to attrit you in India, I would say "bring it on". He will lose pilots, you won't and the he will lose more planes.

Up until he gets naval superiority....

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 8:23:44 PM

DesertWolf101

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February 11-12, 1943

I lost a good destroyer to mines in the Vladivostok theater. Gah! I find it a bit strange that my fighters are forbidden from intercepting enemy aircraft on minelaying missions

The Japanese 14th Division is finally pushed out of Bhopal. I rescued approximately 40% of the division with my transport aircraft operation which is way more than I expected. Bombay was attacked by half a dozen armor units after an insane amount of airstrikes. Without exaggeration, Andy likely brought something like 90% of US Navy and Army aircraft to India. That is in addition to Commonwealth and Soviet forces too. I don't think the Brigade I left there as a rearguard will last long but hopefully some industry will be wiped out with its destruction.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/19/2021 8:26:18 PM

DesertWolf101

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I sent a small Zero sweep to clear the skies over Benares and they ate a squadron of Spitfires for lunch. No Zero in the sweep was destroyed or even damaged for 13 Spitfires destroyed. Not too shabby!

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< Message edited by DesertWolf101 -- 3/19/2021 8:30:09 PM >

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/20/2021 3:30:12 PM

29000Kevin

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I was trying to make a large comment 3 days ago and managed to accidently deleted it completely which was frustrating.

I will note that it should be possible to hold onto Calcutta against the Allies since the city can be defended with the Rivers surrounding it, however Diamond Harbor will be needed to be kept under control for as long as possible for Naval support, the city is also a great place to attrition the Allied Airforce.

I have seen fortress Calcutta games happen before, although one of them required the Japanese to send supply convoys to Calcutta up until they were eventually intercepted and destroyed by planes later in the war and it fell onto the Air transport to do the job, so if their is a stockpile of supply available then you could hold onto Calcutta and its Heavy Urban terrain and make a Stalingrad event happen, if not then leave for the Rainforest of Burma and built Airports.

I should also note the Allies and Japan do have HR to pay full on crossing borders, this means that Andy would've needed a lot of Pollical Points to move everything to India so that means that their is a limit to how much Allied land and air power their actually is in India since its only early 1943 and Andy has only been in command of the Allies since the days before China fell, however I may be underestimating the Allies since I'm no expert in this game, still all that PP has to be spent on something.

Still its up to your call on what to do with your forces.

I wonder if were going to get a Japanese Dunkirk in southern India, great place to set up a CAP trap if it does happen.

The Bhopal Airlift was successful with 40% of the 14th division evacuated, better than losing everything that's for sure.

< Message edited by 29000Kevin -- 3/20/2021 3:48:51 PM >

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/20/2021 3:46:05 PM

29000Kevin

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Accidental post*

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Post #: 1097

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/20/2021 7:10:33 PM

DesertWolf101

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quote:

ORIGINAL: 29000Kevin

I was trying to make a large comment 3 days ago and managed to accidently deleted it completely which was frustrating.

I will note that it should be possible to hold onto Calcutta against the Allies since the city can be defended with the Rivers surrounding it, however Diamond Harbor will be needed to be kept under control for as long as possible for Naval support, the city is also a great place to attrition the Allied Airforce.

I have seen fortress Calcutta games happen before, although one of them required the Japanese to send supply convoys to Calcutta up until they were eventually intercepted and destroyed by planes later in the war and it fell onto the Air transport to do the job, so if their is a stockpile of supply available then you could hold onto Calcutta and its Heavy Urban terrain and make a Stalingrad event happen, if not then leave for the Rainforest of Burma and built Airports.

I should also note the Allies and Japan do have HR to pay full on crossing borders, this means that Andy would've needed a lot of Pollical Points to move everything to India so that means that their is a limit to how much Allied land and air power their actually is in India since its only early 1943 and Andy has only been in command of the Allies since the days before China fell, however I may be underestimating the Allies since I'm no expert in this game, still all that PP has to be spent on something.

Still its up to your call on what to do with your forces.

I wonder if were going to get a Japanese Dunkirk in southern India, great place to set up a CAP trap if it does happen.

The Bhopal Airlift was successful with 40% of the 14th division evacuated, better than losing everything that's for sure.

Calcutta is a great defensive bastion but its weakness is that it can be easily bypassed through the plains leading to Assam. There are also a plethora of excellent airfields all around it which is a notable danger given Andy's significant edge in local ground and air power. With that in mind, I definitely intend to hold on to the city itself but not necessarily the area around it, and it will be with forces that I ultimately judge expendable.

I sense that one of the hardest things to do in this game (and really in life) is to know when to quit while ahead. Ultimately my campaign in India was a smashing success and I don't want to risk all of that for a mirage. My top priority right now in India is to not lose my army and a distant second is to attrite his forces where possible. That is what is guiding my approach.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/20/2021 7:22:35 PM

DesertWolf101

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February 13-15, 1943

My forces continue to pull back in good order thus far but the situation remains tense as Andy's forces are right on my heels. I am spoiling for a big showdown in the air and I suspect we may eventually have one over Calcutta. Calcutta itself has plenty of supply for the residual garrison I intend to leave there but I am a bit concerned over supply situation for my main army that will march down the coastal road to Burma. Hopefully dumping lots of supply in the ports along that road will see to that problem. The latest battles in the sky involved my LRCAP facing off against enemy air attacks on my army withdrawing from the Patna area. I also knocked out some of his aircraft on the ground in a bombing raid.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/20/2021 7:29:30 PM

DesertWolf101

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I sent a carrier force centered around Kaga to strike some of Andy's shipping that recently arrived around New Zealand. The Japanese carriers found the heavy cruiser Portland and some escorts but the strike that did go after them completely missed the cruiser despite very good pilots and decent weather. The Portland's crew need to go buy some lotto tickets when they get home.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/21/2021 3:43:31 PM

DesertWolf101

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February 16-17, 1943

The pressure remains on in India, with the focus on the Calcutta area as my troops continue to pull back to either the city or the Burmese border.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/21/2021 3:50:42 PM

DesertWolf101

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Unfortunately, an excellent day in the air on the 16th of February was followed by a pretty bad day on the 17th. My LRCAP was hit by no less than a dozen sweeps and grinded down over the course of the day. 5 Zero pilots were lost, 3 of them aces. This is the result of the 17th.

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< Message edited by DesertWolf101 -- 3/21/2021 3:55:38 PM >

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/21/2021 3:54:23 PM

DesertWolf101

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The day got better towards the end with the destruction of yet another one of Andy's paratrooper landings.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/22/2021 1:04:24 AM

DesertWolf101

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Hurry Up Frank!

Here are all my Frank factories. The research levels are all over the place. I have had a single factory already reach level 30 two months ago and is about to push the date closer by a month. Think I can get the Frank by June 1943? Fingers crossed...

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/23/2021 12:06:01 AM

DesertWolf101

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February 18-22, 1943

The last few days in India have been relatively quiet in comparison to the usual hectic action. The vast majority of my forces have now reached Madras, Calcutta, and Assam. On the 22nd of February though I pulled off a good ambush on some USN dive and torpedo bombers that were harassing my doomed ex-Bombay garrison.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/23/2021 7:46:15 PM

DesertWolf101

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February 25, 1943

The air war over India intensified once again on the 25th when Andy sent in significant sweeps to clear the skies over Calcutta. Fortunately, the sweeps ended just as my CAP was starting to tire out. I think my losses could have been more serious had he pressed his attack with his full weight. 2 of my fighter pilots are KIA, one an ace.

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/24/2021 5:16:22 AM

DesertWolf101

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February 26, 1943

After yesterday's hesitant start Andy's air assault on Calcutta intensified to a fever pitch. Nearly a thousand Allied aircraft came at the city today in endless waves. The defending Japanese fighters did very well against the initial sweeps but started tiring out pretty fast towards the end of the onslaught. Andy lucked out in two regards, almost all his fighter sweeps came in first in the morning phase and by the time the bombers showed up in the afternoon phase the weather was perfect which really helped him plaster the city's airfields. Nevertheless the Japanese aces give as good as they got and only 14 Japanese pilots were killed. Given the scale of the battle I think that's a fairly modest number. About half of those were aces but many more were created on the same day. Runaway damage is at 42 so tomorrow is going to be a decisive day as he could very well close down the city's airfields if he presses on with his attack in force...

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< Message edited by DesertWolf101 -- 3/24/2021 7:04:47 AM >

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/24/2021 8:55:13 AM

PaxMondo

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You have 2x the sorties as compared to the allies ... where are all of those other aircraft and what are they doing?

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RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/24/2021 1:39:22 PM

DesertWolf101

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quote:

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

You have 2x the sorties as compared to the allies ... where are all of those other aircraft and what are they doing?

Good question. Besides training and recon/search which are both intensive my bombers are heavily concentrated in the Soviet front and the bulk of my fighter squadrons are now in the Burma/India theater. Also important to note that having lost his CVs Andy has deployed his air groups on land while mine are aboard ship, which accounts for some discrepancy in the sortie rate.

I should also clarify that my biggest constraint right now in bringing enough aircraft forward in India is the lack of air support units and airfield stacking limits. For instance I have the fighter squadrons to reinforce Calcutta even more but I can't because that would blow past the stacking limits on the cities airfields. Andy on the other is not lacking for support units or airfields in India.

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Post #: 1109

RE: Empire of the Sun - 3/24/2021 1:51:18 PM

DesertWolf101

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February 27, 1943

I swapped in new squadrons into Calcutta and braced myself for another day of intense pressure. Andy did not rest his squadrons and hammered me once again with massed waves of bombers and fighters. Unfortunately, it was another day of clear weather, and with hundred of bombers at his disposal Andy successfully closed down Calcutta's airfields. Here are the losses for the latest round.