4 June 42

4 June 42 (Full Version)

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Jim D Burns -> 4 June 42 (2/9/2008 3:11:19 PM)
4 June 42 Today starts out with a small night raid on the Rahaeng airfield by my Blenheim IF’s and the net result is I lose a plane and one of the highly experienced pilots in the group. I’ve switched the squadron over to a night city attack on the Tavoy resource to see if they have better luck and meet with less flak. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Night Air attack on Rahaeng , at 31,36 Allied aircraft Blenheim IF x 10 Allied aircraft losses Blenheim IF: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged Aircraft Attacking: 9 x Blenheim IF bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied subs make two more attacks this turn and again miss. My subs are making lots of attacks, but they seem to miss a lot. If I had to guess I’d say less than 1 in 10 attacks scores a hit, and then half or more of those are duds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Portland Roads at 49,94 Japanese Ships DD Minazuki DD Ariake Allied Ships SS S-39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Rabaul at 62,90 Japanese Ships AK Lyons Maru Allied Ships SS Trigger -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japan conducts two raids at Moulmein. A small raid on the base causes light damage, but the larger raid against the 2nd Burma brigade hits the unit hard. It has 50 disruption this turn. I can only hope my previous raids on Japan’s units have caused them a similar amount of disruption or else my guys are in for trouble. It’ll take weeks to get disruption back into the teens were it was last turn. Allied bombers hit Luganville today. At Townsville Japan launches a deliberate attack with his four divisions. The level 6 forts are pulled down to level 5 before his attack goes in, but he still gets bloodily repulsed by the fresh and well prepared allied troops defending the base. Japan takes 6 times as many casualties as the allies do and the base is 90+% of the way to rebuilding that lost fort level. This good news is tempered though by several bits of news this turn. First allied recon spots another 38,000+ troops at Cairns this turn. Second my opponent revealed to me in this turns email that 2 of his divisions accidently moved off road into the woods hex circled on this turns screenshot. If I had to guess, I think he intended to plot them to move to the hex one hex further southwest than they moved to and accidently clicked the wrong hex when he plotted the move. This means he’s probably going for an end around move to take Charter Towers. Finally allied recon also got good Intel of what is located at the Cairns airfield this turn and spots 243 Auxiliary aircraft at the base. I think this is a sign he probably intends to conduct a paradrop on Cloncurry and then airlift in heavier formations from Cairns once he captures the base. Currently I have just a small Dutch battalion at about half strength defending Cloncurry. Charter Towers has its baseforce that has intrinsic AV and the NVGR battalion which is almost at full strength. Neither base could hold against 2 or more Japanese para regiments dropped at the same time, so redeployments are the order of the day. I’ve ordered the NVGR battalion to move to Cloncurry right away, and the Australian 3rd Brigade which just arrived at Townsville to move to Charter Towers. Eventually I’ll send either the 6th AIF or 7th AIF divisions (whichever arrives in the area first) to Charter Towers and the 3rd Brigade will take over garrison duties at Cloncurry. The other AIF division will join the troops at Townsville. There is also a recently arrived in Australia full strength US tank battalion on route to Townsville, which is currently a few hexes north of Brisbane. The only other troops that can enter the fray any time soon is the 32nd US division, which is about a month or more away from Australia still. It will need to stay at Sydney for a considerable period of time once it lands as it was embarked when it had almost 80% of its equipment in a disabled state. So I’m guessing it will be at least 2 months (probably longer) before that division can enter into combat. I’m seriously thinking about bringing down the 2 British SEAC command infantry divisions from India. This would leave southern India wide open to attack however, so I think I’ll wait another month or so before deciding on the move, but I wanted to bring up the option for discussion here. Would it be better to use the SEAC British units in an offensive against Sumatra or Java, or should I defend Australia at all costs. Given the size of the forces I now can see or have been made aware of by my opponent, Japan currently has at least 10+ divisions in Australia right now, and more task forces are arriving every day. I’ve created a huge screenshot of all of Australia today, so I decided not to embed it into the post as it would cause major lag issues when viewing the thread. To view it simply click the link below. http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4909/4june421wo1.jpg As you can see, all Port cities along the east coast have pretty decent defenses, with the most important bases averaging 350-400 AV. I still have several brigades in the southeast that can be used as reserves to move to any new landings. Adelaide and Melbourne are less well defended since most of their units are undergoing reconstruction. But they are within easy redeployment range and I can rapidly send help should my opponent try a deep invasion at either city. Sydney has lots of units undergoing reconstruction and an almost full strength brigade as well. There are also 2 brigades very nearby, so I can bring Sydney’s AV up to about 700 or so very quickly if needed. Once the 32nd US division arrives, Sydney will be in great shape. I’m a bit nervous about my ability to hold at Tennant Creek with the forces I have arrayed there now. But this turns recon only detects 2 enemy units. Assuming they are the same two divisions that attacked Darwin, I’m pretty confident I can hold against them at least until the level 3 forts come down. With 60 unopposed Hudson bombers added to my defense, I should be able to seriously disrupt the two attacking units, so I may be able to hold the base indefinitely until Japan can build up an airbase within fighter cover range of Tennant Creek. By then I’ll have the fifth and last independent company added to Tennant Creeks defense (its returning from Noumea now), and I may even add the 61st Philippine Reserve Division to the base by then as well. Overall the big threat is in the northeast and I may not have time to stop him at Townsville given how exposed Charter Towers and Cloncurry are right now due to lack of sufficient units for defending inland bases. If I have to, I’ll simply run away and create a very strong defense at Rockhampton. By falling back, I can add Rockhampton’s defending division and armor unit to the front line battle and with a river that needs to be crossed, I may be able to hold him there. If he forces Rockhampton, I’ll fall back to the woods hex along the rail south instead of falling all the way back to Brisbane. By then I hope to have at least one or two more US divisions in Australia (and perhaps the British as well), so the momentum may be shifting by then. Also the further south he comes, the more he is open to a US counter-invasion north of his main army to cut off his supplies. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 5 June 42 (2/10/2008 6:05:34 AM)
5 June 42 There is a lot more sub activity today, the net result of which is one US and one Japanese sub are damaged by ASW and a Japanese MSW at Singapore is sunk. My decision to send ASW task forces out to escort my damaged AO near Auckland paid off as the sub damaged there this turn is different than the one that torpedoed the AO in the first place, so it appears the vultures are descending on the stricken ship. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 66,133 Japanese Ships SS I-23, hits 2, on fire Allied Ships MSW Tui MSW Moa MSW Kiwi MSW Sanda -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Singapore at 22,51 Japanese Ships MSW Wa 20 Allied Ships SS Salmon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 60,95 Japanese Ships AK Kaga Maru AK Manila Maru DD Tokitsukaze DD Amatsukaze DD Hayashio DD Yukikaze Allied Ships SS Barracuda, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Singapore at 22,51 Japanese Ships MSW Wa 20, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS Salmon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 50,101 Japanese Ships DD Oshio DD Natsushio DD Oyashio DD Yugumo BB Ise Allied Ships SS Permit, heavy damage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The SS Permit is a few hexes east of Cooktown and Cairns (about half way between them) returning to base at Townsville to try and repair heavy float damage sustained in an attack about a week ago. It detects KB in its hex along with this BB task force, so it looks like Townsville is about to get hammered from the sea. 18 Japanese Helen’s hit Townsville today and cause minor damage to the base. I should be able to complete the level 6 forts next turn as its 99% of the way to completion. But a naval bombardment may disrupt the base too much if construction occurs after naval shore bombardments. Allied medium bombers hit the Japanese 5th and 33rd Divisions at Moulmein today. Going in unescorted costs them though, as 16 bombers are lost today if you include those lost to ops with the air to air kills. Japan then flies a large raid and hits the 16th Indian brigade, causing 60+ disruption to the unit. Yesterday’s brigade still has 30 disruption (had 50+ yesterday), so it looks like less than 50% of the disruption levels can be recovered each day in a malarial hex. Allied bombers also hit Luganville today causing 2 port hits. Japanese land units conduct land bombardments at Moulmein and Townsville today. At Townsville the 3rd Australian brigade has already made it to Charter Towers, so I’ve posted the bombardment to show our comparative AV’s now that the over-strength brigade (it has 144/132 squads in it) has left the hex. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Townsville Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 77664 troops, 280 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1556 Defending force 55663 troops, 307 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 792 Allied ground losses: 47 casualties reported Guns lost 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looks like I just barley manage to stay under a 2-1 core AV with Japan after the recent disruption and disablements his first attack must have caused him. I’ll feel a lot better when the US tank battalion and its 70+ AV arrives in the hex. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 6 June 42 (2/11/2008 6:03:18 AM)
6 June 42 Another month has passed in game and it is again time to compare our air to air fighter losses. To date the allies have lost 540 fighters (+62 for the month) in air to air combat. Japan has lost a total of 118 fighters (+15 for the month) in air to air combat. That’s a kill ratio for Japan of 4.5–1 for the war and 4.1–1 for the month. Another frustrating thing to note is I’ve intentionally not used my P-40E’s in combat since the Philippine Islands campaign. What I wanted to do was upgrade most of my P-40B squadrons first and then get the P-40E’s into frontline service. Well I’m six months into the war and I have only managed to upgrade about 70% of my P-40B groups and have zero P-40E’s in my replacement pools still. I’ve only lost 69 P-40E’s to all causes since war began, and 44 of those were on the ground in the opening turn/turns of the game. Yet I still have 7 squadrons of P-40B’s yet to get upgraded and 3 squadrons of P-40E’s in India with only 12 or so planes in each squadron. Then there is the P-35A squadron from the Philippines that needs upgrading as well. That means I have at least another 228 airframes (another 6 months worth of production) or more to go before I can flesh out all my obsolete squadrons with P-40E’s. And even then I’ll still have no reserves in the replacement pools. Had I used the P-40E’s in combat, I never would have been able to upgrade my many P-40B groups, and with a production of only 2 airframes, those P-40B squadrons would have quickly run out of airframes just from normal op losses by now. So basically the P-40E is unavailable for use in 1942 in CHS. If you do use it, you’ll run out of airframes rapidly as we saw happen with my Hurricanes and Kittyhawks (and I only had 3 squadrons of Kittyhawks engaged). Then all the P-40B squadrons will run out of airframes as the replacement rate for those isn’t high enough to cover ops losses for the 24 squadrons or so that use those airframes at game start. Even once the obsolete squadrons are all fleshed out with shiny new P-40E’s, I’ll have 25 squadrons on map that use that model plane, 24 if I leave one squadron to use the P-40B’s. So even if each squadron loses only 2 planes a month to normal op losses, I’ll be running out of P-40E airframes as there are only 40 produced each month. I think CHS has basically killed allied fighter strength to such an extent, that it is bad play on the part of the allies to try and use fighters in front line service until mid 1943 when newer models will eventually allow me to diversify my squadrons more and I can finally start to build up a reserve in the replacement pools. Today begins with US sub SS S-39 running a gauntlet of Japanese ASW attacks in the shallow waters along the east coast of Australia near Cooktown. Luckily the skipper manages to avoid and damage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 49,98 Japanese Ships PG Choan Maru #2 PG Uji DD Arashi Allied Ships SS S-39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 49,100 Japanese Ships DD Hamakaze DD Shiranuhi DD Hatsukaze DD Kagero DD Akigumo Allied Ships SS S-39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 49,100 Japanese Ships DD Sazanami Allied Ships SS S-39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Japanese Helen’s hit Townsville today and cause no damage to the base. Japan also hits Moulmein and the 1st Burma Rifles Brigade as well. Allied heavy bombers hit the Japanese 5th Division at Moulmein. Japan then launches a deliberate attack again at Moulmein and again pulls down another fort level before the attack goes in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Moulmein Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 78329 troops, 270 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 1684 Defending force 24194 troops, 199 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 621 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 3 Japanese max assault: 1038 - adjusted assault: 907 Allied max defense: 536 - adjusted defense: 1365 Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 3) Japanese ground losses: 1760 casualties reported Guns lost 21 Vehicles lost 2 Allied ground losses: 656 casualties reported Guns lost 21 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [image]local://upfiles/5815/2C7602E7BDCF442CA82BD6C814F1D58D.jpg[/image] Japanese casualties are a lot less severe this time, which I attribute to the disruption his air attacks have caused my land units. My guys are just too disrupted or too much equipment is disabled to make as big a dent in the attackers as they did on the first attack. I would guess Moulmein will fall within a week or so at this point. Japan also conducts a land bombardment at Townsville. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 7 June 42 (2/11/2008 6:19:14 AM)
7 June 42 Lots of sub activity again today. Near Auckland another new Japanese sub appears in the area and gets chased under by one of my ASW task forces. At Kwajalein another Japanese ML is targeted but missed. Finally at Bangkok US sub SS Skipjack has a busy day and sends a torpedo into the side of a loaded Japanese AP. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Auckland at 62,134 Japanese Ships SS I-30 Allied Ships MSW Tui MSW Moa MSW Kiwi MSW Sanda -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84 Japanese Ships ML Shirataka Allied Ships SS Grenadier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Bangkok at 29,39 Japanese Ships AP Aiyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire PG Takunan Maru #3 PG Shotoku Maru PG Hakkaisan Maru PG Fukui Maru Allied Ships SS Skipjack, hits 4 Japanese ground losses: 23 casualties reported Guns lost 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Bangkok at 29,39 Japanese Ships AP Katsuragisan Maru PG Takunan Maru #3 PG Shotoku Maru PG Hakkaisan Maru PG Fukui Maru Allied Ships SS Skipjack, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SS Skipjack suffered several near misses and minor hits, but system damage is only 8 and she’s ordered back to Perth for some yard time. Japanese bombers conduct three air raids on Moulmein today. Two were against the base and one hit the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade. US heavy bombers hit the Japanese 5th Division at Moulmein. Two small air raids are also flown against Luganville. One hits the base and another small 3 plane raid misses a Japanese PC spotted at the base. Recon reports several Japanese task forces at Luganville this turn. Looks like Japan is either leaving the base (unlikely) or bringing in more troops. Japan launches a land bombardment at Townsville. Nothing else of note to report today. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 8 June 42 (2/11/2008 8:07:25 AM)
8 June 42 Today’s sub activity has the Skipjack dodging a Japanese ASW attack south of Bangkok and the Grenadier dodging one at Kwajalein. US sub S-45 slams a torpedo into a Japanese AP at Luganville. The fact no Japanese troops were reported as casualties leads me to believe Japan has unloaded reinforcements at Luganville. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 29,41 Japanese Ships PC Ch 7 PC Ch 3 Allied Ships SS Skipjack -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Luganville at 71,111 Japanese Ships AP Nishiki Maru, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage Allied Ships SS S-45, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Kwajalein at 81,84 Allied Ships SS Grenadier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese bombers hit the base at Moulmein and another raid hits the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade again. Allied medium bombers hit both the 5th and 33rd Divisions at Moulmein. A small raid launched against the Japanese task forces at Luganville fails to score any hits. At Townsville Japan has added another divisions and brigade to the battle. Here are our comparative AV’s this turn. I’ve gone ahead and ordered the 3rd Australian Brigade at Charter Towers back to Townsville as I doubt my current force at Townsville can hold now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Townsville Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 78657 troops, 294 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2209 Defending force 55776 troops, 313 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 793 Allied ground losses: 124 casualties reported Guns lost 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Both the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions landed at Brisbane this turn. Both are ordered to march to Townsville, but I doubt they’ll make it in time. I now feel that sending the 7th AIF Division to Noumea was definitely a blunder (though I’d probably feel different if he had invaded Noumea by now). Had I left it in Australia, it would already be at Townsville and I’d be assured of holding the base long enough for the 6th AIF to arrive there as well. Now it looks like I’ll lose Townsville, Charter Towers and Cloncurry due to too few troops up north there to stop the Japanese juggernaut. Counting the two divisions my opponent told me he accidently moved off the rail hex between Cooktown and Cairns, I now have confirmed 7 Japanese divisions and 1 brigade in northeastern Australia. He has another 2 divisions for sure marching on Tennant Creek. I still think I can stop him in the northeast if the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions manage to join the fight before he forces me out. So I’ve rebased my medium bombers with ranges of less than 8 to Charter Towers this turn. Those with ranges of 8 and my few remaining uncommitted Hudson’s (about 24 I think) will remain at Rockhampton. Both bases shall begin ground attacks on Townsville every turn. Hopefully the attacks will disrupt him enough to allow the base to hold on. Replacement airframes for my heavy bombers are too low to risk them being destroyed on the ground at Charter Towers, so for now they’ll remain at Brisbane. I have 4 groups of B-24D’s due in about a week, they have the range to reach Townsville from Brisbane. I’ll rebase them to Australia ASAP once they arrive. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 9 June 42 (2/11/2008 12:07:59 PM)
9 June 42 Today was a good day for the allies. Given all the air attacks Japan has been launching at Moulmein every day, I decided the time was ripe for a little air ambush with my 5 Hurricane squadrons from Mandalay. I rebased them to Rangoon last turn and set them to LRCAP over Moulmein and they intercepted three Japanese raids over the hex. The total air frame losses today were, 8 Ann’s, 7 Hurricanes, 3 Zeroes, 2 Helen’s, 2 Sonia’s, 1 Marauder, 1 Hudson, 1 Sally and 1 Oscar. Air to air losses today were 6 Hurricanes vs. 8 Ann’s, 3 Zeroes, 2 Sonia’s and 1 Oscar, so I would call today’s ambush a minor success. I had hoped to do a lot better given the fact Japan’s planes have been flying raids non-stop for over a week. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 6 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12 Ki-51 Sonia x 18 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 62 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged Airbase hits 1 Runway hits 7 Aircraft Attacking: 16 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing at 2000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 16th Indian Brigade, at 30,34 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 19 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 37 Ki-21-II Sally x 46 Ki-49 Helen x 55 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 9 Japanese aircraft losses A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 5 destroyed Allied ground losses: 246 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Aircraft Attacking: 24 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 6000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34 Japanese aircraft Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 12 Ki-30 Ann x 19 Allied aircraft Hurricane IIb x 43 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged Ki-30 Ann: 7 destroyed, 5 damaged Allied aircraft losses Hurricane IIb: 3 damaged Runway hits 9 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x Ki-30 Ann bombing at 2000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another success for me today was the rebasing of my US bombers to Charter Towers with orders to ground attack Japanese land units at Townsville. The bombers from Brisbane only flew one mission, but the bombers from Charter Towers flew three. In total 3 of the Japanese divisions were hit and the timing of today’s raids couldn’t have been better. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 4th Division, at 46,105 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk I x 7 Beaufort V-IX x 3 B-26B Marauder x 16 Allied aircraft losses Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged B-26B Marauder: 9 damaged Japanese ground losses: 51 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Aircraft Attacking: 4 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 46,105 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk I x 7 Beaufort V-IX x 3 B-26B Marauder x 12 Allied aircraft losses Beaufort V-IX: 3 damaged B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged Japanese ground losses: 62 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 16th Division, at 46,105 Allied aircraft Hudson I x 21 B-25C Mitchell x 12 Allied aircraft losses Hudson I: 1 destroyed, 4 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 1 damaged Japanese ground losses: 70 casualties reported Aircraft Attacking: 6 x Hudson I bombing at 6000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on 48th Division, at 46,105 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk I x 5 Beaufort V-IX x 9 B-26B Marauder x 22 Allied aircraft losses Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged B-26B Marauder: 8 damaged Japanese ground losses: 95 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-26B Marauder bombing at 6000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japan launched a deliberate attack on Townsville today and his adjusted AV was 262, that’s just a little over 10% of his 2200+ AV he has attacking the hex. Had I not hit his land units so hard today, I'd have probably lost the just reconstructed level 6 fort. [image]local://upfiles/5815/B042C70D4E85497391A34829EF10CF83.jpg[/image] Another Japanese unit is spotted one hex north of Townsville today, so things are going to continue getting worse for the allies at Townsville in the near future. I'm really dreading when the 2 divisions that accidently moved off-road arrive, I can only hope my 2 AIF divisions arrive first. Japanese bombers hit Wyndham and Moulmein today. They also hit the 16th Indian Brigade located at Moulmein. My units at Moulmein are rapidly losing their combat ability to all these Japanese air strikes, it simply takes too long to recover from any damage caused in the malaria terrain. Allied bombers hit Luganville’s port today, causing 3 supply hits. Japan conducted a naval bombardment of Wyndham as well today with 3 CA’s and 2 CL’s, several task forces also ended the turn in the hex. Looks like the mopping up campaign has begun in northern Australia. Jim

Gen.Hoepner -> RE: 9 June 42 (2/11/2008 12:49:59 PM)
Hi Jim...pretty strange that result at Townsville...4 divisions managed to obtain only a 200 adjusted AV...well, it seems that you can hold...your units should now be skilled enough to hold their ground even without the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions... I'm confident about Oz...i bet he won't go much further in that theatre[;)]

Jim D Burns -> RE: 9 June 42 (2/11/2008 1:33:20 PM)
I attribute it to several things. First most of my units are at or near 100% prepped for Townsville. Second I have level 6 forts. Finally all of my defending units are at or near 0 disruption while he attacked after moving south, so a lot of his formations probably have 20+ disruption (just a guess). I also have unopposed armor in the hex, that may be causing a lot of damage to his guys before the final odds adjustments. I also have the SWPAC HQ in the hex 100% prepped for the base, so that helps too. That’s all I can think of, he may not be very highly prepped for the base, but he surely has the numbers to force me out eventually. Why his adjusted AV is so low though, I cannot understand fully. But I think you may be right, I will probably be able to hold until the 6th and 7th arrive and then there is no way he’ll be coming further south, as those two units have 80-90 experience levels. The guys he’s fighting now only have 60+ experience, but morale is high. Jim Edit: By the way, it's 5 divisions and a brigade, not 4 divisions so something odd is happening to his adjusted AV.

Jim D Burns -> 10 June 42 (2/11/2008 4:13:13 PM)
10 June 42 Today starts with the US sub SS Cachalot engaging a Japanese transport fleet at Lunga. The first attack misses, but later in the turn the sub returns and scores a hit on a Japanese AP. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Lunga at 67,101 Japanese Ships AP Nachi Maru PC Ch 22 Allied Ships SS Cachalot, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Lunga at 67,101 Japanese Ships AP Nachi Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire PC Ch 22 Allied Ships SS Cachalot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Moulmein my little ambush last turn caused my opponent to go fishing this turn by conducting a fighter sweep over the hex. I chuckled when I saw this mission execute and felt like saying “a swing and a miss”. [sm=scared0018.gif] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34 Japanese aircraft A6M2 Zero x 29 A6M3 Zero x 22 Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 26 No Japanese losses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All my fighters are safely back at Mandalay recovering. Rangoon no longer has sufficient air support for sustained air operations. Japanese bombers hit Wyndham again today. Two raids hit the 2nd Burma Rifles Brigade at Moulmein and Japan also flew a small unescorted raid of 14 Helens over Charter Towers. I was extremely disappointed with the air to air results. No Helens were shot down in air to air, one was hit by flak. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Charters Towers , at 45,105 Japanese aircraft Ki-49 Helen x 14 Ki-46-II Dinah x 2 Allied aircraft Kittyhawk I x 12 Japanese aircraft losses Ki-49 Helen: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged Allied aircraft losses Kittyhawk I: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged B-26B Marauder: 1 destroyed Allied ground losses: 16 casualties reported Guns lost 1 Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 1 Runway hits 12 Aircraft Attacking: 10 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet 3 x Ki-49 Helen bombing at 11000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied mediums bombers flew three raids over Townsville and hit the 16th and 18th Japanese divisions. Luganville was also raided and 3 port supply hits were scored. My guys just can’t seem to damage the base at Luganville on these raids. Perhaps once they gain some more experience they’ll do better. At Moulmein Japan launched a deliberate attack and achieved 1-1 odds and reduced the fort to level 2. I doubt I’ll last another attack, so I decided to retreat this turn. [image]local://upfiles/5815/17E43CDC17904E4289B1F95A55E64C90.jpg[/image] I’ve ordered my units to withdraw across the river one hex northeast. I’ve also ordered the two units defending Rangoon into that hex as well. Once everyone arrives, I’ll send the two units in the worst shape into Rangoon to recover damage. If you look at the AV next to the Japanese units in the combat screenshot, you can see his units must be in pretty bad shape as well, since most Japanese divisions usually have 400-900 AV listed here when in top fighting trim. So if I can manage to successfully rotate my units through Rangoon, I may gain an edge and be able to hold him at the river for a while. Of course his airforce is what has allowed him to carry the day here so far, and it may well allow him to force the river as well. If my guys can entrench to level 3 before he crosses, then I know at best he’ll get a 1-1. If not he may force them to retreat into Rangoon. I have 100 large transport planes in India and China right now, so I can pull most of the units out of Rangoon by air, but it’s a risky operation and I may lose a lot of brigades. What does everyone think, hold at the river or just flee to Mandalay? Jim

Gen.Hoepner -> RE: 10 June 42 (2/11/2008 4:24:28 PM)
I'd say hold at the river. Use your bombers to distrupt his units. Yes, he can place his LRCAP there...you will lose some of your bombers...yes...but it's worth the exchange imho! HAve you already brought to Mandalay some consistent forces? The chinese divs perhaps?

Ron Saueracker -> RE: 10 June 42 (2/11/2008 4:33:05 PM)
I'd just leave the Rangoon Force and a base unit in Rangoon. Concentrate at hex between Moulmein and Rangoon to take advantage of the terrain. If he moves on Rangoon by sea or air he runs the risk of heavy transit losses and it is relatively easy to move back in some force. I've been fortunate to never have had a Japanese PBEM player capture Moulmein. A few tried to bypass it and go into India but they failed miserably. CHS makes Japanese thrusts here and in China much more difficult.

Jim D Burns -> RE: 10 June 42 (2/11/2008 5:16:41 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker I'd just leave the Rangoon Force and a base unit in Rangoon. Concentrate at hex between Moulmein and Rangoon to take advantage of the terrain. If he moves on Rangoon by sea or air he runs the risk of heavy transit losses and it is relatively easy to move back in some force. I've been fortunate to never have had a Japanese PBEM player capture Moulmein. A few tried to bypass it and go into India but they failed miserably. CHS makes Japanese thrusts here and in China much more difficult. Hi Ron and G.H., Rangoon force is already at Akyab, I moved it there a long time ago as I assumed he'd come early for Burma. Great call on my part eh? [8\|] I'm mainly worried about a paradrop to take Rangoon followed by him airlifting in reinforcements, but at this stage I'm not really worried as much as I once was. My units are so chewed up from his air attacks, I may not be able to hold against his river crossing shock attack, and if I lose that hex, Rangoon is meaningless. But with the fresh brigade and the Chinese division from Rangoon added to the river line, I probably can hold for at least one attack, so it’ll be safe to rotate at least one brigade through Rangoon I guess. I mainly want to hold long enough to get the first Chindit Brigade to Mandalay. By then the forts should be level 9 and all but two of the starting brigades in Burma are 100% prepped for the base. Mandalay will be held by the Chindit brigade and all of the starting Burma brigades. When I finally pull back from the river, I’ll send all 6 Chinese divisions to Ledo (only level 4 forts), and the Assam Rifles will guard Myitkyina against paradrops. Right now the Chinese are guarding all the bases in the rear areas of Burma that are on the rail lines, one division per base. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 11 June 42 (2/11/2008 8:48:19 PM)
11 June 42 Sub activity today consists of two Japanese ASW attacks on my subs. The S-23 is hit hard (60 float) near Milne Bay and may not make it back to port. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 56,97 Japanese Ships DD Nowaki DD Hamakaze DD Shiranuhi DD Hatsukaze DD Kagero DD Akigumo Allied Ships SS S-23, hits 1, on fire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Lunga at 67,101 Japanese Ships PC Takunan Maru #10 PC Shonon Maru #15 Allied Ships SS Cachalot -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allied bombers hit the 33rd and 4th Japanese divisions at Moulmein today. Luganville was also hit again and another 2 supply hits were scored. Japanese bombers hit the 13th Indian Brigade at Moulmein today. My opponent then launches another deliberate attack at Moulmein and smashes my units hard with a 2-1 odds attack. Forts are pulled down to level 1 and worst of all, my move plots are reset! [:@] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Moulmein Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 74164 troops, 225 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 1481 Defending force 20512 troops, 89 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 524 Japanese max assault: 865 - adjusted assault: 735 Allied max defense: 371 - adjusted defense: 263 Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2) Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1 Japanese ground losses: 1455 casualties reported Guns lost 14 Vehicles lost 1 Allied ground losses: 876 casualties reported Guns lost 12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’m screwed at Moulmein, no way will my guys get away and right now almost all non-squad equipment is disabled, so when he forces a retreat my units are going to get crushed in the retreat losses caused. At this point I’ve abandoned any hope of holding at the river line and I ordered all my units to fall back to either Mandalay or Lashio. I may just end up abandoning Lashio as well, since I doubt my shattered British brigades will be able to defend Mandalay after the pounding they are about to take. Japan conducts a land bombardment at Townsville, and as you can see from the below screenshot, he now has 6 divisions in the hex. Recon also spotted another unit one hex north of the base. [image]local://upfiles/5815/E79DD29E6AD8465992B9FEF86C5B596A.jpg[/image] My opponent bragged to me in an email last turn that he’ll soon have almost 5,000 AV at Townsville. 5,000! [X(][X(][X(] That means he must be bringing at least another 6 divisions or their equivalent to Townsville. I do not think even the two AIF divisions will make enough of a difference to hold against 5,000 AV. I did note today that Townsville is 47% of the way to level 7 forts. Two engineer units with 20 engineer vehicles each landed at Brisbane today. So hopefully I can get another fort level or two done before that massive uberstack is finished forming up at Townsville. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 12 June 42 (2/12/2008 11:41:52 AM)
12 June 42 The turn begins with Japanese troops unloading over the beach at Wyndham. I’m actually hoping he forces the baseforce unit there to surrender, as it would reappear on map from the reinforcement track long before it could march across the outback desert. There is one sub attack this turn at Soerabaja. Dutch Sub KXVIII sends a torpedo into a Japanese AK and gets rattled in return by its escort. Damage is minor but I’ve ordered the sub to return to port. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Soerabaja at 23,66 Japanese Ships AK Taketoyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage DD Nokaze DD Okikaze Allied Ships SS KXVIII, hits 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I also had a sub at Singapore hit by a search aircraft. Damage is very heavy and I’ve ordered the sub to try and reach Diamond Harbor, but with fires aboard and 60 float damage, it’s doubtful she’ll make port. Japanese fighters conduct another sweep over Rangoon and find the skies empty. This is the third turn in a row he’s conducted sweeps with his zeroes at a different base. Guess my little ambush a few turns back really irritated him. 15 Helens again show up over Charter Towers unescorted. This time my Kittyhawks manage to shoot 1 down. Damage to the base is minor and 1 Kittyhawk and 1 Marauder are destroyed on the ground. Japanese bombers also hit the 1st Burma Rifles Brigade at Moulmein this turn. At Townsville, allied bombers hit the 4th and 38th Divisions. Allied bombers hit the 33rd and 5th Divisions at Moulmein flying 3 separate strikes. 5 Hudson’s from Broome launch a strike on a Japanese CA at Wyndham, but don’t manage to score any hits. Luganville is also hit today. Had I remembered to give my units movement orders to a base rather than just a regular hex last turn, none of my move orders would have reset last turn and all my units would have left Moulmein this turn before Japan could have attacked them. As it is his deliberate attack went in today and 4 of my brigades remained in the hex. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Moulmein Japanese Deliberate attack Attacking force 72030 troops, 209 guns, 73 vehicles, Assault Value = 1785 Defending force 12603 troops, 23 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 307 Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0 Japanese max assault: 730 - adjusted assault: 800 Allied max defense: 197 - adjusted defense: 303 Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0) Japanese forces CAPTURE Moulmein base !!! Japanese ground losses: 583 casualties reported Guns lost 2 Vehicles lost 1 Allied ground losses: 195 casualties reported Guns lost 3 Defeated Allied Units Retreating! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Needless to say my brigades are all shattered and have lost at least half of their non-squad equipment items. They’ve also lost a good chunk of their squads and what is left is 70% disabled. I’ve ordered a general withdraw to Mandalay. All units in Burma will try to hunker down behind the level 9 forts. My opponent should have to stop and refit at Rangoon for a while I hope. If he does, I’ll air lift the brigades with the most remaining equipment items out and left them refit in India for a while. If he comes straight on, I’ll simply try to hold with what I have left. Amazing how fast my fortunes turned here in Burma. One turn I’m talking about a forward defense plan. Three turns later I’m reeling and running back to Mandalay. I hope the same thing doesn’t happen at Townsville. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 13 June 42 (2/12/2008 3:38:10 PM)
13 June 42 The US sub SS Grenadier gets another shot at a Japanese ML at Kwajalein and the torpedoes hit, but they are duds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84 Japanese Ships ML Shirataka Allied Ships SS Grenadier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Moulmein I sent every bomber within range to pound the base this turn. No Japanese planes were flying LRCAP over the base, so my boys hammered the place. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34 Allied aircraft Blenheim IV x 68 Wellington III x 13 B-25C Mitchell x 13 Allied aircraft losses Blenheim IV: 3 damaged Wellington III: 1 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 177 casualties reported Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 45 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34 Allied aircraft B-17D Fortress x 17 B-17E Fortress x 43 LB-30 Liberator x 12 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 88 casualties reported Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 31 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’m going to try and keep both Moulmein and Rangoon closed. If I can force him to fly his bombing missions over Mandalay from Bangkok and other bases further back, my Hurricanes might do better in a front line air to air duel this time around. I barely have one month’s production of Hurricanes in the replacement pools, so at most I can only replace losses from one major pounding (Japan kills about one month’s production with his big air raids) to my fighters at Mandalay before I have to pull them back off the front line. Were I to stick around and get hit twice, then all of a sudden my fighter squadrons would find themselves without any air frames and India would be wide open while I await replacements. At Townsville, my planes flew two ground attack missions and both targeted the 3rd AA regiment. Damage to the unit appeared to be heavy. Luganville is hit and 1 supply hit is scored. 14 Helens hit Charter Towers again today, no planes are lost on the ground and 2 Helens are shot down by flak. Across the river from Moulmein Japan hits the 1st Burma Brigade. Japan captures Wyndham this turn and the baseforce surrenders. I’m pissed to learn the baseforce did not appear in the reinforcement track. I could have easily evacuated all the northern Australian baseforces a long time ago had I known they didn’t respawn. Now I’m going to lose all three for no gain whatsoever. Ok I exaggerated a bit the damage my troops at Moulmein suffered from last turns retreat, but that was mainly due to the fact I only checked the Burma Frontier Force Brigade and assumed all the brigades looked to be in a similar state. The units are still really messed up, but not as much as I had thought. Below is a screenshot of the brigades behind the river line. [image]local://upfiles/5815/10CE5259AC0F4B0BA2944C8520C4D7DF.jpg[/image] As you can see 4 of them (the ones forced to retreat from the last battle) only moved 2-4 miles today. I’m hoping that’s due to last turns combat and they’ll make better time this turn. If not they’ll surely get caught by Japan and get forced into Rangoon and trapped. Jim

ny59giants -> RE: 12 June 42 (2/12/2008 3:50:13 PM)
I'm in mid-12/42 with my PBEM game using CHS 158c, but am using 2 day turns (hope to get to '44 before AE). I feel your pain about the number of P-40 airframes of all types. [:(] I'm looking forward to the OOB for Allied planes in AE as so many mods have done little to address the fighter shortage (so many P-40 squadrons, so few planes). Thankfully, I get Corsairs, Spits, and P-39Q to add to my P-38G bringing me to over 200 second generation fighters per month starting in 1/43. [:D] However, your opponent should start to worry about the B-24 menace which will soon make his life very difficult. [:D] I've lost these planes mainly to flak and op losses and very few to a2a. The other thing that I find difficult to overcome is the low Political Points in CHS (50 per day). IMO, 75 per day would have been nice as I have almost always had to send ships back to Winny when he asked. [:(] I still have 4 American divisions on the WC awaiting PPs and I'm not even thinking about Australian LCUs yet. The bad thing about your opponents position in Australia is he will have trouble evac those units once you start your counteroffensive without using KB for protection.

Yakface -> RE: 13 June 42 (2/12/2008 4:46:23 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Jim D Burns 13 June 42 The US sub SS Grenadier gets another shot at a Japanese ML at Kwajalein and the torpedoes hit, but they are duds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84 Japanese Ships ML Shirataka Allied Ships SS Grenadier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Moulmein I sent every bomber within range to pound the base this turn. No Japanese planes were flying LRCAP over the base, so my boys hammered the place. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34 Allied aircraft Blenheim IV x 68 Wellington III x 13 B-25C Mitchell x 13 Allied aircraft losses Blenheim IV: 3 damaged Wellington III: 1 damaged B-25C Mitchell: 2 damaged Japanese ground losses: 177 casualties reported Airbase hits 6 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 45 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-25C Mitchell bombing at 6000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on Moulmein , at 30,34 Allied aircraft B-17D Fortress x 17 B-17E Fortress x 43 LB-30 Liberator x 12 No Allied losses Japanese ground losses: 88 casualties reported Airbase hits 3 Airbase supply hits 2 Runway hits 31 Aircraft Attacking: 3 x B-17E Fortress bombing at 15000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’m going to try and keep both Moulmein and Rangoon closed. If I can force him to fly his bombing missions over Mandalay from Bangkok and other bases further back, my Hurricanes might do better in a front line air to air duel this time around. I barely have one month’s production of Hurricanes in the replacement pools, so at most I can only replace losses from one major pounding (Japan kills about one month’s production with his big air raids) to my fighters at Mandalay before I have to pull them back off the front line. Were I to stick around and get hit twice, then all of a sudden my fighter squadrons would find themselves without any air frames and India would be wide open while I await replacements. At Townsville, my planes flew two ground attack missions and both targeted the 3rd AA regiment. Damage to the unit appeared to be heavy. Luganville is hit and 1 supply hit is scored. 14 Helens hit Charter Towers again today, no planes are lost on the ground and 2 Helens are shot down by flak. Across the river from Moulmein Japan hits the 1st Burma Brigade. Japan captures Wyndham this turn and the baseforce surrenders. I’m pissed to learn the baseforce did not appear in the reinforcement track. I could have easily evacuated all the northern Australian baseforces a long time ago had I known they didn’t respawn. Now I’m going to lose all three for no gain whatsoever. Ok I exaggerated a bit the damage my troops at Moulmein suffered from last turns retreat, but that was mainly due to the fact I only checked the Burma Frontier Force Brigade and assumed all the brigades looked to be in a similar state. The units are still really messed up, but not as much as I had thought. Below is a screenshot of the brigades behind the river line. [image]local://upfiles/5815/10CE5259AC0F4B0BA2944C8520C4D7DF.jpg[/image] As you can see 4 of them (the ones forced to retreat from the last battle) only moved 2-4 miles today. I’m hoping that’s due to last turns combat and they’ll make better time this turn. If not they’ll surely get caught by Japan and get forced into Rangoon and trapped. Jim Check the direction they are travelling - they're heading off into jungle!!!!, which is why they are only goin 2-4 miles per day.

Jim D Burns -> RE: 13 June 42 (2/12/2008 6:10:10 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Yakface Check the direction they are travelling - they're heading off into jungle!!!!, which is why they are only goin 2-4 miles per day. Gasp! WTF? [X(][&:] Thank you for the heads up on that, I completely missed it. I have no idea what caused that to happen as all units were ordered to move to Mandalay. I'll address it next turn, though it's probably too late to get away now. Jim

Jim D Burns -> RE: 12 June 42 (2/12/2008 6:30:27 PM)
Hi ny59giants, quote: ORIGINAL: ny59giants However, your opponent should start to worry about the B-24 menace which will soon make his life very difficult. [:D] I've lost these planes mainly to flak and op losses and very few to a2a. The other thing that I find difficult to overcome is the low Political Points in CHS (50 per day). IMO, 75 per day would have been nice as I have almost always had to send ships back to Winny when he asked. [:(] I still have 4 American divisions on the WC awaiting PPs and I'm not even thinking about Australian LCUs yet. Yeah my first B-24’s arrive in a few days. They’ll start to pound his land units at Townsville regularly from Brisbane every day. Once Rockhampton reaches a level 7 airfield, then B-24’s will hit Cooktown and Cairns every day from there and the B-17’s will hit his land troops at Townsville. quote: ORIGINAL: ny59giants The bad thing about your opponents position in Australia is he will have trouble evac those units once you start your counteroffensive without using KB for protection. I’m actually happy that he’s going for Australia, as it’s something I’ve always wanted to defend against but never had the chance to do. There is so much new strategy involved here, it gives me lots to ponder over strategy wise. It also makes the Solomon’s campaign one of the most critical campaigns of the game. If I can manage to hold Australia with just Australian units and units from SWPAC command, I can launch a strong drive into the Solomon’s with SPAC command units starting in late 42. If I can get air power within range of all the sea hexes leading up to Milne Bay, I’ll have cut off his northeastern Australia thrust and will be in good position to then conduct an Inchon style landing north of wherever the front line is at that time. Destruction of his troops in detail will quickly follow. But I suspect my opponent knows this, that’s why he’s brought 5,000+ AV to northeastern Australia. He’s going for either the knockout blow, or he wants to force me to also have to commit all/most of my SPAC land units to Australia as well as all my SWPAC units. I’m really starting to lean in the direction of bringing some British units down from India, but that will pretty much negate any offensives in that region of the world for quite some time, thus freeing up a lot of his airforce for duty in Australia. I don’t know if it’s such a good idea to bring them down actually. I’ll wait to see how the 6th and 7th AIF Divisions stand up to the full might of his uberstack. If they get blown away or it’s obvious they won’t hold for long, I’ll probably bring down some British troops. Two SPAC units, the 1st Marine Division and another Army division (can’t remember its designation right now) are both in SF fleshing out their strength and recovering disablements. Once they’re ready to go, I’ll send them both to Noumea and then send the Americal Division to Australia if it’s needed there. The 1st Marine Division will launch my first attack against Luganville (I also have a RCT prepping for Luganville). I’d like to use the Americal Division (CENTPAC unit) to land somewhere in the Gilbert's about the same time, but I’ll send it to Australia if things are tough there. Jim

ny59giants -> RE: 12 June 42 (2/12/2008 7:23:14 PM)
You might want to look at your disposition of Aviation Support. I sent a large Avaition Rgt from SE Asia to Oz and was able to evac most of my large Aviation units from Java and PI to Oz. They are now rebuilt (except the infantry for the British ones). There is a lot of Aviation Rgt (270 support) and large BF (90 support) in India/Burma that may be more than you need while Oz will be hurting for it until late 42. Having excessive (2 Aviation Rgt would be nice) will aid your 4e bomber recovery time at Rock or Brisbane. [;)] Your opponent may continue to move west along the north coast of Australia and cut off any flow between India and Australia. Thus, you may need to plan ahead now and move excessive AK/AP down to Australia and eventually USA along with any LCUs before this happens. Thankfully, my game has a HR that allows me to move along the west map edge to near Australia without being attacked.

Jim D Burns -> 14 June 42 (2/12/2008 9:31:57 PM)
14 June 42 Not a good day for allied sub ops today. Both the S-36 and the Grouper are subjected to ASW attacks and both subs get hammered. The Grouper is far from base and probably won’t make port. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Cairns at 48,102 Japanese Ships APD Patrol Boat No. 35 APD Patrol Boat No. 34 APD Patrol Boat No. 33 APD Patrol Boat No. 32 Allied Ships SS S-36, hits 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack at 64,45 Japanese Ships AK Raizan Maru AK Hokutai Maru PC Ch 24 PC Ch 23 PC Ch 19 PC Sonan Maru #6 Allied Ships SS Grouper, hits 4, on fire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two small allied air raids hit the 3rd AA regiment at Townsville today. Japanese planes hit the 2nd Burma Rifles brigade in the river hex northeast of Moulmein. Japan conducts a land bombardment at Townsville today. Tomorrow the US tank battalion will arrive in the hex adding 71 tanks to my defense there. Nothing else of note occurred today. Jim

Jim D Burns -> RE: 12 June 42 (2/12/2008 9:47:36 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ny59giants You might want to look at your disposition of Aviation Support. I sent a large Avaition Rgt from SE Asia to Oz and was able to evac most of my large Aviation units from Java and PI to Oz. They are now rebuilt (except the infantry for the British ones). There is a lot of Aviation Rgt (270 support) and large BF (90 support) in India/Burma that may be more than you need while Oz will be hurting for it until late 42. Having excessive (2 Aviation Rgt would be nice) will aid your 4e bomber recovery time at Rock or Brisbane. [;)] I’ve got an aviation regiment already at Rockhampton, so there’s plenty of support there for my 4E bombers. I also have the two large Dutch aviation regiments in Oz, both are about 2/3rds rebuilt now. One is heading to Charter Towers to join the 3 baseforces there (total of 240 support when all 4 units fleshed out), the other will remain at Brisbane with the two baseforces there (total 210 support when fleshed out). I only sent one US baseforce from the PI to Oz, it's rebuilding in Sydney. I sent 4 others to China, they are rebuilding along with an engineer regiment (one of the ones with 20 bulldozers in it’s TO&E) at Chungking. I may send one of the Indian aviation regiments down as you suggest, as I could use more support at Alice Springs (only 60 support there). I’ll look into the reinforcement tracks, if nothing large is arriving for ANZAC command, Australia Command or SWPAC Command that I can use at Alice Springs in the next month or so, I’ll send the regiment that just arrived at Aden this turn. Thanks for the tip, I hadn’t thought of sending stuff from India. quote: ORIGINAL: ny59giants Your opponent may continue to move west along the north coast of Australia and cut off any flow between India and Australia. Thus, you may need to plan ahead now and move excessive AK/AP down to Australia and eventually USA along with any LCUs before this happens. Thankfully, my game has a HR that allows me to move along the west map edge to near Australia without being attacked. I sent most of the long ranged AK’s and AP’s to the US early in the game. But a lot of stuff has arrived since then, I’ll do another sifting of ships as you suggest and send the long endurance stuff to the US. I want to keep enough AP’s though to ensure I can combat load (less than 400 load points of troops on any single ship) at least one full division for offensive options. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 15 June 42 (2/15/2008 8:28:03 PM)
15 June 42 Allied sub ops today saw an ASW attack near the Home Islands and a sub attack at Cairns. Both attacks missed their targets. Japanese bombers hit Townsville today. Only 7 Helen’s flew escorted by 70 zeroes, so damage was light. Looks like my opponent is trying a strategy of wiping out my airforce with large numbers of fighters at the expense of his ability to bomb my troops. Japan also flew 2 air attacks on my troops across the river near Moulmein. The 13th Indian Brigade and 1st Burma Rifles Brigade were hit. Allied bombers hit the 18th and 38th Divisions at Townsville. Luganville was also hit today, one port hit and 1 port supply hit were scored. At Townsville Japan launched a deliberate attack today. As you can see from the below screen capture, his AV of 2573 only dropped to a max AV of 2268 today where last time it dropped from 2200+ to about 1000. I guess my opponent rested up his troops a lot and disruption was a lot less this go around. [image]local://upfiles/5815/113526B4BC3C4D639291B53F460A9776.jpg[/image] The good news is my forts held even though I took heavier losses than him this time. The 6th AIF Division is about 5 hexes south of the base, so I’m confident it will arrive in time now. The 7th AIF is 7 hexes south. Japan also crossed the river at Moulmein with a division and a tank regiment, which initiated a shock attack. Amazingly my four remaining chewed up brigades held their own and Japan only achieved a 1-1 odds attack. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at 30,33 Japanese Shock attack Attacking force 12298 troops, 56 guns, 72 vehicles, Assault Value = 349 Defending force 9541 troops, 16 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 239 Japanese max assault: 382 - adjusted assault: 121 Allied max defense: 167 - adjusted defense: 67 Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 Japanese ground losses: 387 casualties reported Guns lost 4 Vehicles lost 1 Allied ground losses: 108 casualties reported Guns lost 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All 4 brigades now have 45 miles accumulated towards the NE, so they should leave the hex before another attack can be launched. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 16 June 42 (2/16/2008 6:10:30 PM)
16 June 42 A very busy day today for sub operations. The net effects were several allied subs were damaged and one Japanese sub was damaged. The BB Ise ate a torpedo at Kendari and at Efate one of my AK’s bringing supplies to the currently offloading troops was hit. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Cairns at 48,102 Japanese Ships APD Patrol Boat No. 32 APD Patrol Boat No. 35 APD Patrol Boat No. 34 APD Patrol Boat No. 33 Allied Ships SS Porpoise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Kwajalein at 81,84 Japanese Ships AK Tatsukami Maru DD Shiokaze Allied Ships SS Grenadier, hits 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Kwajalein at 81,84 Japanese Ships DD Shiokaze Allied Ships SS Grenadier -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Kendari at 33,71 Japanese Ships BB Ise, Torpedo hits 1 DD Oshio DD Natsushio DD Oyashio DD Yugumo CVL Zuiho Allied Ships SS Seal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Rabaul at 62,90 Japanese Ships TK Kaijo Maru #2 PG Unkai Maru #1 PG Tosho Maru PG Taiko Maru PG Shosei Maru Allied Ships SS Trigger, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Kendari at 33,71 Japanese Ships DD Oshio DD Natsushio DD Oyashio DD Yugumo Allied Ships SS Seal -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Efate at 72,114 Japanese Ships SS I-169, hits 3 Allied Ships AK Rhesus, Torpedo hits 1, on fire DMS Chandler -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [image]local://upfiles/5815/86C5309708AF4EAEB06199BB075EB20C.jpg[/image] The Ise appears to be part of a small CVL task force. The question raised is what is Japan doing sending a CVL to Kendari? I assume either he’s going to raid the map edge between India and Australia, or he may possibly be setting up for landings at Perth. I guess he could simply be getting ready to provide air cover for landings at Broome as well since I have a squadron of Hudson’s there. I’ll suspend convoys from India for a while just in case. At Charter Towers Japan flew a recon mission escorted by 48 zeroes. 11 Kittyhawks rose to defend the skies and 2 were shot down. 1 Zero was downed as well in the engagement. Japan also hit the 13th and 16th Indian brigades near Rangoon today. Allied bombers hit the Japanese 21st Division at Tennant Creek. I had been trying to hit the Japanese units moving to Tennant Creek along their road march, but for some reason my bombers didn’t fly until now. With Japanese unit in the hex, I doubt I’ll have time to work them over much from the air before he attacks. Luganville was also hit today and 1 port supply hit was caused. Intel hasn’t spotted a land unit at Intel for quite some time. I’m starting to wonder if my opponent hasn’t evacuated the Island. I’ll try a ground attack mission after resting my bombers to see if there are any units left at the island. At Tennant Creek Japan launches a land bombardment and our comparative AV’s don’t look good. I doubt my troops can hold against this much Japanese force. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Tennant Creek Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 21475 troops, 99 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 976 Defending force 13007 troops, 109 guns, 7 vehicles, Assault Value = 228 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’ll retreat from Tennant Creek if the level 3 forts start go down, or if my losses really chew up my units. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 17 June 42 (2/16/2008 8:21:00 PM)
17 June 42 Sub ops today consisted of 2 Japanese ASW attacks on allied subs. Both attacks missed. 83 Allied heavy bombers hit Moulmein airfields today and cause heavy damage. At Tennant Creek my Hudson’s from Alice Springs flew two separate missions and hit both the 2nd and 21st Japanese divisions. A third Japanese unit is spotted 1 hex from Tennant Creek, but I think it’s probably just a baseforce unit. 11 Japanese Helens hit Townsville today and cause light damage. 6 Japanese Nells appear over my task forces unloading at Efate and attack my shipping. Thankfully they were out of torpedo range and no hits were scored. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114 Japanese aircraft G3M Nell x 6 No Japanese losses Allied Ships AK Alaskan DMS Chandler Aircraft Attacking: 2 x G3M Nell bombing at 7000 feet 4 x G3M Nell bombing at 7000 feet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’ve ordered my 11 ready P-38F’s at Noumea to fly LRCAP over Efate. Hopefully they will prevent any further small raids like this from launching at such extreme range. Other than Japan’s land bombardments at Tennant Creek and Townsville, nothing else of note occurred today. The 7th AIF Division has moved with lightening speed towards Townsville. It is now just 90 miles from the base, having out-distanced the 6th AIF Division by three hexes even though they both started moving from Brisbane on the same turn. As you can see from today’s screen capture, Japan has at least 2 more units north of Townsville, so the 7th is arriving just in the nick of time. I have no idea if these are the two divisions that accidently moved off-road, or if these are two other units. [image]local://upfiles/5815/F81667772FA14FCFB73FFA5D3DF56AC1.jpg[/image] Another 9 Japanese units are spotted at Cairns. I’m starting to think my opponent is bringing the entire Japanese army to Australia! [X(] I think I’ll take next turn to peruse the map and look for some possible counter-attack options. With so much strength in Australia, he has to be weak somewhere. Any of you JFB’s know exactly how many divisions Japan should have available for use right now? Jim

Jim D Burns -> 18 June 42 (2/17/2008 2:32:24 AM)
18 June 42 Sub ops today had a couple of Japanese subs hit by ASW, but one of ours was too. Damage was heavy to our sub and it’s ordered to Townsville to try and reach the port to stop the 50+ flooding. An allied AO was hit today near Pago Pago. I’ve attacked several Japanese AO’s and never scored a hit on one. But Japan seems to never miss, that’s two AO’s hit this month and both are the large capacity ones. I need better skippers. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Efate at 72,114 Japanese Ships SS I-32, hits 1 Allied Ships MSW Rail MSW Turkey MSW Tanager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 95,116 Japanese Ships SS I-10, hits 4 Allied Ships AO Platte, Torpedo hits 1 AO Neosho DD Clark DD Patterson DD Monssen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 48,97 Japanese Ships APD Patrol Boat No. 34 APD Patrol Boat No. 35 APD Patrol Boat No. 33 APD Patrol Boat No. 32 Allied Ships SS Tarpon, hits 4, on fire -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Efate at 72,114 Japanese Ships SS I-32 Allied Ships MSW Rail MSW Turkey MSW Tanager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Burma I had my medium bombers hit the port at Moulmein. I’ve caused massive damage to the airfield, so I decided to hit the port to help keep the base closed and make repairs that much harder. Allied bombers also hit the Japanese 2nd Division at tenant Creek. Japan conducted a fighter sweep of Townsville and engaged 2 leaking CAP from Charter Towers. No planes were lost however. Japan’s land bombardment at Townsville shows casualties caused to the allied troops are increasing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Townsville Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 125720 troops, 439 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2705 Defending force 53279 troops, 291 guns, 275 vehicles, Assault Value = 990 Allied ground losses: 256 casualties reported Guns lost 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hopefully the 7th AIF Division will march into the base tomorrow before Japan can launch another attack and reduce my level 6 forts. I’m 80% of the way to level 7, it would suck for him to pull down a level right before I go up. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 19 June 42 (2/17/2008 5:35:32 PM)
19 June 42 Lots of sub activity again today, most of it conducted by US sub SS Grampus at Saipan. Grampus ends up sending torpedoes into two of the three ships in the small task force it intercepts while sustaining one minor hit in return. With only 2 system damage, Grampus shall remain in Japanese waters searching for new prey. At Efate Japanese sub I-32 launches two volleys of 6 torpedoes at a MSW group conducting ASW in the hex and misses with all 12 torpedoes. The I-32 sustained one hit, which was probably minor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Saipan at 64,64 Japanese Ships AK Nanman Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Kyo Maru #10 PG Kyo Maru #8 Allied Ships SS Grampus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASW attack near Saipan at 64,64 Japanese Ships PG Kyo Maru #10 PG Kyo Maru #8 Allied Ships SS Grampus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Saipan at 64,64 Japanese Ships PG Kyo Maru #10 PG Kyo Maru #8 Allied Ships SS Grampus, hits 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Efate at 72,114 Japanese Ships SS I-32 Allied Ships MSW Rail MSW Turkey MSW Tanager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Saipan at 64,64 Japanese Ships PG Kyo Maru #8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Kyo Maru #10 Allied Ships SS Grampus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Efate at 72,114 Japanese Ships SS I-32, hits 1 Allied Ships MSW Rail MSW Turkey MSW Tanager -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Tennant Creek, allied bombers hit the 48th Heavy AA Battalion and the 2nd Division today. With the arrival of the 7th AIF Division at Townsville today, I was happy to see the new comparative AV’s during Japan’s land bombardment. Even with 7 divisions, 1 tank regiment and 2 flak battalions in the hex now, Japan barley has a 2-1 advantage in core AV. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Townsville Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 135475 troops, 503 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2814 Defending force 68795 troops, 412 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 1338 Allied ground losses: 334 casualties reported Guns lost 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 6th AIF Division is only a few days south, once it arrives I think I’ll be able to hold for sure. Especially since the forts should go up to level 7 this turn. The empty base of Rangoon fell today. I now have over 1,000 AV at Mandalay behind my level 9 forts there. With so much power in the hex, I think it’ll be safe to evacuate one brigade back to India at a time for refit. Once it arrives at Mandalay (75 miles to go) I’ll send the brigade with only 21 morale back to India first. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 20 June 42 (2/18/2008 6:57:38 AM)
20 June 42 Today allied sub ops score a nice little victory. At Kendari where a Japanese BB was hit a few days ago, the SS Seal spots a Japanese AO and sent a torpedo into its side. Finally after many missed AO attack opportunities we get a little payback for our recent AO’s hit by the Japanese. [image]local://upfiles/5815/83BE475B9D2E429FAF82C7AF555D82B8.jpg[/image] Japan conducts two ASW attacks on the S-47 at Shortlands and the sub suffers 3 hits. 16 unescorted Helens attack Charter Towers today and the Kittyhawk pilots finally extract a price for japans audacity of repeatedly attacking the base without escorts. 5 of the bombers are shot down with no loss to our pilots, though 4 allied planes are destroyed on the ground. At Tennant Creek allied Hudson’s again hit the 48th AA regiment and the 2nd Division. Japanese troops continue to pour into Townsville. Today I note the arrival of 2 more tank regiments and three artillery units. More Japanese troops are seen north of the base as well. Here’s today’s comparative AV’s. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ground combat at Townsville Japanese Bombardment attack Attacking force 139844 troops, 596 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3009 Defending force 68622 troops, 409 guns, 277 vehicles, Assault Value = 1341 Allied ground losses: 811 casualties reported Guns lost 21 Vehicles lost 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other than a land bombardment at Tennant Creek, nothing else of note occurred today. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 21 June 42 (2/18/2008 10:07:17 PM)
21 June 42 Today US sub SS Sailfish sends a torpedo into a Japanese tanker at Balikpapan. Japan makes 2 ASW attacks on the SS Seal at Kendari, but the skipper manages to evade damage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack near Balikpapan at 31,64 Japanese Ships TK Nisshin Maru #2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire PC Ishigaki PC Kunashiri PC Hachijo DD Suzukaze Allied Ships SS Sailfish -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At Tennant Creek allied bombers hit the 48th AA regiment and the 2nd Division for a third day in a row. At Townsville allied bombers hit the 8th Tank Regiment and the 56th Division. Japan sends a strike of 15 Nell’s to Efate today and hits an AK and its escort. Damage to the ships is moderate and they’re ordered to Noumea to repair damage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day Air attack on TF, near Efate at 72,114 Japanese aircraft G3M Nell x 15 Allied aircraft P-38F Lightning x 3 Japanese aircraft losses G3M Nell: 1 damaged Allied aircraft losses P-38F Lightning: 1 damaged Allied Ships DMS Chandler, Bomb hits 1, on fire AK Rhesus, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage Aircraft Attacking: 1 x G3M Nell bombing at 7000 feet <snip> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For some reason my P-38F’s morale level was in the tank (low 30’s), so as soon as one of the planes was damaged in air to air, they broke off and failed to press an attack on the bombers. I guess all those escort missions to Luganville had really damaging effects on their morale. I’ve stood them down so they can begin to recover, I’ll keep them stood down until they’re in the 80’s. In Burma Japanese troops capture Meiktila today. Japan conducts land bombardments at Tennant Creek and Townsville. Jim

Jim D Burns -> 22 June 42 (2/19/2008 8:19:33 PM)
22 June 42 US sub S-38 torpedoes a loaded Japanese AP east of Cairns. Looks like the flood of Japanese troops into Northeastern Australia continues unabated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sub attack at 49,101 Japanese Ships AP Shofuku Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage PG Shoei Maru Allied Ships SS S-38 Japanese ground losses: 11 casualties reported -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 71 allied heavy bombers hit Rangoon today. Damage to the base is moderate. Both the 6th and the 7th AIF Divisions are now located at Townsville. But Japan continues to bring more troops to the party. This turns screenshot shows just how many Japanese units are now located at Townsville. There are 8 divisions, 1 brigade, 3 tank regiments, 1 artillery brigade, 3 artillery regiments, 1 AA regiment and 1 AA battalion currently in Townsville. [image]local://upfiles/5815/D542AD43763544F1811AEFF0F425053D.jpg[/image] Recon spots another 4 Japanese units at Cairns and then there are the unit/units aboard the task force I just torpedoed this turn. At this point I have nothing else to send to Townsville without causing a major break in my coastal defense along the east coast of Australia. However the US 32nd Division is scheduled to land in Sydney in a couple of days and I may send it north if it isn’t too disabled. Also I’m considering bringing the 1st USMC Division to Noumea now instead of later. I was going to leave it in San Francisco to flesh out its strength. It still needs about ½ of its tanks and 2/3rds of its 50 cal machineguns, but at this point I think I need the Americal Division in Australia as soon as possible. So next turn I’m going to embark the 1st USMC Division for Noumea to replace the Americal Division which will go to Australia. Jim

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