RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (Full Version)

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pat.casey -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/17/2008 8:26:40 AM)

I'm assuming this is obvious, but are you boxing a lot of short range fighters to unload in Luzon once you capture the place? If it's not in ferry range of any of your existing bases, it's going to be really aggravating to capture an airfield and realize you can't run in fighters.



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/17/2008 3:26:51 PM)

Red Planet Roster
 
I.                   Carrier Fleet:
 
a.       Six CV TFs (each with a CV, CVL, and BB) totaling 98 ships.
b.      Combat TF (BBs Washington and Massachusetts, 4 CLs, 10 DDs)
       
II.                Invasion Protection
 
a.       Combat TF 1136 (BBs Maryland and Pennsylvania, CA, 3 CL,  5 DD)
b.      Combat TF 1013 (BB Mississippi, CA, 3 CL, 10 DD)
c.       Escort carrier TF 1199 (15 ships include 3 CVEs, BB California, CA)
 
III.             Troop Transports
 
a.       TF 1252 (11 ships) - 27th Division
b.      TF 1011 (12) – 12 air squadrons (see information below)
c.       TF 1026  (15) – 37th Division
d.      TF 1066 (9) – 9 air squadrons (see information below)
e.       TF 1151 (14) – 503rd Parachute Regiment
f.       TF 1157 (13) – 7th Division; part 3rd U.S.M.C. Division
g.      TF 1213 (8) – 54th Aviation Regiment
h.      TF 1219 (8) – 73rd Aviation Regiment
i.        TF 1223 (9) – 71st Aviation Regiment
j.        TF 1224 (14) – 1st US Cav. Division, 24th Division
k.      TF 1226 (13, include CVE Long Island) – 5th Fleet HQ, 6th Army HQ
l.        TF 1227 (12) – I Amphibious HQ, 5th Air Force HQ
m.    TF 1229 (16) – 754 Tanks, 640 Anti-Tanks, 3rd Marine CD
n.      TF 1234 (15) – 37, 38, 40 Seabees
o.      TF 1245 (19) – 19th Combat Engineers, 30th FA, 64/97/98 Coastal AA
p.      TF 1253 (25) – 3rd US Marine Division (loaded on LSTs)
q.      TF 1254 (18) – 25th Division
r.        TF 1256 (27) – 147th RCT (loaded on LCIs)
s.       TF 1258 (6) – 1st Marine Paratroops, 3rd Raiders, 4th Raiders
t.        TF 1259 (5) – 72nd Base Force
u.      TF 1261 (6) – 33rd Naval Base Force
v.      TF 1052 (10) – 43rd Division (part)
w.    TF 1222 (4) – 821 and 822 Engineering Aviation Bat.
x.      TF 1043 (4) – 43rd Division (part)
y.      TF 1212 (3) – 3rd Marine Paratroops
z.       TF 1160 (11) – 128th, 129th Base Forces; 11th Marine CD, 632 Tank Destroyer
aa.   TF 1064 (6) – 4th Marine Paratroops loaded on fast transport
 
IV.             Supply Transports
 
a.       TF 1051 (16) 115,200 supplies
b.      TF 1133 (14)  93,600 supplies
c.       TF 1215 (12)  30,00 supplies and 2 air squadrons (see below)
d.      TF 1207 (9) – 64,800 supplies
e.       TF 1257 (10) – 72,000 supplies
f.       TF 1140 (7) – 13,200 supplies
 
V.                Fuel Transports
 
a.       TF 1170 (11) 132,000 fuel
b.      TF 1211 (10) 120,000 fuel
c.       TF 1177 (20) 240,000 fuel
 
VI.             Replenishment
 
a.       TF 1022 (9 ships including CVE Breton) – 82,000 fuel
b.      TF 1056 (7 including CVEs Altamaha & Copahee) – 94,500 fuel
c.       TF 1216 (3) – 27,000 fuel
d.      TF 1042 (9, includes CVE Prince William) – 18,000 fuel
e.       TF 1197 (6) – 94,500 fuel
 
VII.          Auxiliary TFs
 
a.       TF 1039 (7) – minesweepers
b.      TF 1095 (6) – ASW
c.       TF 1035 (17) – 4 AR, AS, AV, AE, etc.
 
641 Ships total
 
Air Squadrons transported:
 
-          SBD – 5
-          Hellcat – 1
-          Corsair – 4
-          B-24 – 2 (96 bombers)
-          B-17 – 1 (24 bombers)
-          PBY – 2
-          P-47 – 2 (one a 72-plane squadron)
-          Dakota – 4 (three 64 plane, one 16 plane)
-          B-25 – 1 (64 bombers)
 
Ground Troops Transported

-          27th Division
-          37th Division
-          7th Division
-          3rd USMC Division
-          1st US Cav. Division
-          24th Division
-          25th Division
-          43rd Division
 
-          503 Parachute Regiment
-          147th RCT
 
-          Marine Paratroops – 1st, 3rd, 4th
-          Marine Raiders – 3rd, 4th
  
-          754th Tank Regiment
-          Anti-Tank – 632 and 640
 
-          19th Combat Engineers
 
-          30th Field Artillery Regiment
 
-          Marine CD – 3rd, 11th
 
-          Coastal AA – 64th, 97th, 98th
 
-          Aviation Regiments – 54th, 71st, 73rd
 
-          72nd Base Force
-          33rd Naval Base Force
-          128th Base Force
-          129th Base Force
 
-          HQ – 5th Fleet, 6th Army, I Amphibious, 5th Air Force
 
-          Seabees – 37th, 38th, 40th
 
-          Engineering Aviation Battalions – 821 and 822



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/18/2008 11:05:11 PM)

8/8/43 to 8/10/43
 
Radio Silence:  Remains in Effect.

Operation Red Planet:  The transport and auxiliary TFs will arrive and refuel at Midway tomorrow.  The carrier TFs lag behind and will near Laysan Island tomorrow.  Thus far no sign of Jap detection. In fact, it's quite the opposite.  For awhile there were many Jap subs in the Hawaiian and Midway area, but the Japs seemed to vacate the premises a week or two ago.  Does John think I'm heading somewhere else, or is this just wishful thinking on my part.  My picket AKs are still positioned some 600 to 800 miles west of Midway and haven't been molested.  The invasion fleet will enter "Indian Country" (beyond LR CAP from Midway) about three days after leaving that last Allied refuge.

Operation Violet Planet:  The Royal Navy's scaled down version of Red Planet will finish loading at Colombo tomorrow and then head SE very slowly.  I don't want to spring her until about the time the Japs discover the Red Planet force.  Middle or eastern Sumatra is the likely target.

Australia:  Quiet, though the Allies are gathering a large force at the crossroads west of Sydney.  This group will move west toward Broken Hill.  Again, the timing is meant to create a hot spot at about the same time Red Planet dawns on the Japs.

Burma:  After another miserable 2:1 attack on the Chinese troops a hex north of Pisanoluke, the Japs seem to be pulling into that refuge.  That attack took place on the 8th and cost the Japs 3080/41/5 to 73/2.

Vietnam:  The Chinese are pulling back from Hanoi.  They just weren't getting anywhere, there was a chance they could be cut off, and I have a new idea (the fourth in a series of ideas that thus far have accomplished zilch).

China:  Nine Jap divisions showed up at Wuchow.  Some of my Chinese units launched a deliberate attack early on, when the first few Jap divisions arrived, but it failed.  I didn't try another, because now the Japs are present in about equal numbers.  But I don't think the Japs have a prayer here given the nine forts.  Even if there were an opportunity, the Chinese have plenty of reinforcements close by.  Further north, near Yenen, the Japs outnumber the Chinese in that city, but have divided forces and sent a pretty big contingent down the road that leads into a bend in the river.  From there, the Japs will have to cross the river.  They have about six hexes to choose from; most of them are occupied by Chinese units.  I still don't know what will happen here, but I'm glad John didn't concentrate at Yenen; had he done so I would have already pulled back to Sian.

More Red Planet Stuff:  During the period of radio silence on my AAR, I have received many PMs from players wishing me best of luck, or telling me I'm toast, or asking me if I've remembered this or that.  Here was an email I sent to one person, commenting on a number of items:

1.  Luzon will be the "main" theater of operations.  Obviously, John will be
on the ropes if the Allies take control of enough of the island to control the
air and the seas. All bombers and fighters based in CBA are available.  I
certainly plan on transferring P-38s, B-24s, and B-17s to Luzon.

2.  I'm bringing all my BBs.  John has thus far lost three in the game.  I'm
worried about CA numbers.  Prior to the landings, I'll probably reconfigure my
TFs to boost the power of the combat TFs that will accompany the invasion TFs.

3.  Circumstances will dictate point of no return.  A big carrier engagement
could affect things.  The "key point" for the Allies will come when they near
Iwo Jima.  At that point I'll have to choose between Luzon, Iwo, and Hokkaido
(Luzon being my first choice).  I pretty much consider the entire operation to
be a "point of no return" mission.  In order to have a chance in this game, I
have to establish a good base near Japan.  So this goes forward unless I
suffer a catastrophic carrier-battle loss.

4. I have 8 infantry/Marine divisions, 2 RCTs, plus Raiders and paratroops. 
So call it the equivalent of 9 divisions.  The plan is to establish such a
huge presence, and to control the air so that it is very difficult or impossible
for John to bring in enough reinforcements to contest control of the island. 
That's why I'm bringing so many base forces. If I fail in controlling the air
and/or limiting Jap ship access to the island, I fail entirely. 

4.  I lost a ton of MSWs in the Midway operation.  I have alot more of them
embedded in transport TFs, but not enough to handle a heavily mined hex.  This
operation is supposed to be a surprise and shouldn't encounter tons of mines. 
If I do, my opponent is simply a smarter player that I am.

It is a powerful, massive force.  John is a very capable, astute opponent. 
Something's going to happen, that's for sure.





Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/19/2008 7:44:19 PM)

8/11/43 and 8/12/43
 
Red Planet:  The transports have refueled and moved NNW of Midway and the carriers will arrive at Midway tomorrow to refuel (see map below).  The area remains oddly devoid of Japanese ships and subs.

Decisions:  If the invasion force approaches Iwo and a carrier battle has yet to occur, I'll have some tough decisions to make.  If I think my fleet is between Iwo and the KB, it will be tempting to keep it that way and to move on Iwo or even Hokkaido (because the least desireable scenario is for my force to face a combination of the KB and LBA when heading into Luzon).  But Luzon is the best target for the long-term success of the Allied offensive.  Another factor will be whether strikes by LBA at Iwo (and possibly Marcus succeed in forcing the Allies to use up some carrier-based sorties.  IF so, I'll be more tempted to strike quickly.  If not, I'll feel better about continuing more deeply into Japanese waters.

Violet Planet:  This invasion fleet has left Colombo, but will make very slow speed toward Sumatra - I don't want to strike to early.

Jap Viewpoint:  John knows I have to go on the offensive, and yesterday.  Where does he expect me to hit?  There are so many "good" targets now that it must seem somewhat daunting to him to adequately defend them all (Iwo, Marcus, Wake, the Marshalls, the Societies, Pago Pago, Suva, New Caledonia, Australia; and, from the west, Sumatra and Java).   There haven't been any signs of the Jap KB lately.  What's John doing?  How did he react, if at all, to the defeat of his Mini-KB in the Indian Ocean?  I confess I don't have any idea, so that any guesses I offer will be pure speculation.

China:  The Japs tried a deliberate attack at Wuchow on the 11th, losing 12,030/142/4 to 2705/51.  I think John will give up on Wuchow.  He's still maneuvering forces around and near the Chinese strongholds of Yenen/Sian/Honan, so I expect him to try more there.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/F43B8725B9704EA39403476036AF1AB4.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/20/2008 3:41:35 AM)

8/13/43 and 8/14/43
 
Red Planet:  My ships are entering Indian Country, so I'm beginning to get nervous.  The transports were 420 miles west of Midway on the 14th, with the CVs trailing.  Tomorrow, the transports will take station at the 540 mile mark so that the carriers can rendezvous.  A Jap patrol craft, probably from Marcus Island, spotted my southern-most picket AK, so John will at the least be curious, at the worst he'll draw clever deductions.  The best news was that a Mini-KB launched on a lone AK north of Papete, sinking her but giving me immense relief to know that at least one Jap CV is far out of position.  The carrier launched 24 Vals, 18 Kates, and 11 Zeros.

Violet Planet:  With the Japs sighting that Red Planet picket ship, things may begin to happen, so the Royal Navy invasion force has increased speed and will close on southern Sumatra.

Noise:  Mock invasion fleets departed Auckland and Melbourne, the former making for Noumea, the latter for Adelaide.  I hope that Jap recon craft will soon site these.

The Japs:  What are they doing?  I would have expected John to try to keep careful tabs on US CVs following Midway, and to likewise flood CenPac with subs and perhaps some picket ships of his own.  But the Japs are nowhere to be seen at the moment - at least not where I would have expected them, patrolling the waters near and to the west and south of Midway.  This is really odd.  I can only think of three possibilities:

1)  John knows exactly what I'm doing, where I am, and where I'm going.

2)  John has totally missed the mark and thinks the Allies are heading to the Marshalls, Societies, or somewhere else.

3)  John knows that his CenPac and SoPac island outposts cannot be held against any overwhelming Allied invasion force, so he's hoping for some Midway like attrition battles; meanwhile, he's mounting a surprise offensive of his own and needs the KB.  If that's the case (and I think this highly unlikely), my money would be on the Indian Ocean, where he might (might, I stress) have been ticked off enough about the Battle of the Maldives Island that he has blood lust and has sent the KB to deal with the Royal Navy.  Boy, that would be a mistake on his part even if he sank the entire Royal Navy ships engaged in Violet Planet.

To summarize, I'm really mystified by the lack of Japanese assets west of Midway.

Edit: Wait a minute. What does the presence of a Mini-KB down near the Societies tell me? It tells me that John is comfortable having a small carrier force in an exposed position (the Battle of Midway happened weeks ago, so my CVs would have had plenty of time to get down there). This has to mean he knows my CVs aren't in the vicinity, but I've seen no Ops reports of him sighting my CVs. So where does he get that comfort level? Also, wouldn't he want to consolidate all his CVs to face the threat posed by the Allied CVs? Yet he hasn't. This leads me to believe that options 1 or 3 listed above are the only explanations. There should be absolutely know way John could know I was heading to Iwo, Hokkaido, or Luzon. Not a single unit prepped for those targets (I decided to rely purely on surprise - all my units are preppred for places like Marcus or Eniwetok). All of this puzzles me greatly.



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/20/2008 6:07:01 PM)

8/15/43 and 8/16/43

Radio Silence: Remains in effect, but not much longer.

Red Planet: On the 16th, the carrier TFs and most of the invasion TFs were 720 miles west of Midway and encountered a line of Japanese picket ships (apparently the Allied picket ships passed through the Japanese line without either side detecting the other). The US carriers launched a strike force of 126 Hellcats and 34 SBDs that managed to sink AP Bokuyo Maru. As a result, the US CVs used 2% of mission sorties. So John now knows the location of the US carriers and likely deduces that this is the "real thing." I therefore doubt that the "noise" I was creating near Noumea and Adelaide will have much effect. The US force will continue steaming west, posing an immediate threat to Marcus Island and an increasing threat to Iwo Jima. Let's see how John responds. (Picket ships are a legit way to strive for early warning, but I hope John doesn't resort to posting lone ships all over the place to incite massive carrier-based strikes in order to reduce my available mission sorties; I don't think he will).

SigInt over the past few days has revealed 151st Base Force at Cagayan (the 2nd base force identified there), 10th Tank Regiment at Manila, and 7th Air Division at Clark Field.

Violet Planet: The Sumatra invasion force isn't in position yet, but I'm moving them as fast as I can.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/D8B1D99902CD48EF93D4F54C2A93A76D.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> Operation Violet Planet (5/20/2008 10:18:13 PM)

8/17/43
 
Radio Silence:  Radio silence may be broken now.  Dear Reader, you are once again invited to comment in the AAR if you wish to do so.

Red Planet:  Another day, two more picket ships sunk (and one of my CV TF's is down to 88% mission sorties now; the rest range from 96 to 97%).  John's email message:  "Well--you are all dressed up to party...  Marcus?  Iwo Jima??  You are already past Wake...This time you will find a hot reaction.  I let Midway fall but will fight here.  BANZAI!"  He has deduced that this is the "real thing," and I think he knows more than he lets on.  Cursor intel just revealed that he has 10 units at Legaspi, 4 at Nada, 8 at Manila, and 3 at Clark Field.  He also has 3 units at Aparri and 1 each at Bataan and the airbase south of Aparri (based upon previous cursor intel).  This guy is WAY ahead of me.

I have no idea where the KB is at the moment.  Since CVL Chitose was torpedoed near Truk a few days ago, the only guess I can make is that the KB is in that vicinity (or around Wake or Marcus, since Chitose was 4 hexes north of Truk).  It's somewhat tempting to send my transports north toward Hokkaido (if my KB guess was right, they would have several days of sailing without threat from LBA) while my CVs hung around and dealt with anything John sent.  (As I just typed that, I liked it even better).

My plan had been (and may still be) to move north of Marcus, zagging that way to see if I can entice the KB into battle, and then slipping on west to threaten Iwo.  Then, if my CVs and mission sorties were in good shape, I would likely head to Luzon.  If I had cold feet or if mission sorties were beginning to run too low for comfort, I would proceed to Iwo.

So, as of this moment, I truly do not know whether I'll move on Luzon, Iwo, or Hokkaido.

Violet Planet:  The Royal Navy invasion force is steaming at full speed, but won't make Sumatra for several more days.

New Zealand/Australia:  An Australian army is advancing from Sydney toward Broken Hill.  It should arrive in about three days.  While the main show is up near Iwo and over at Sumatra, I'll use the diversion to send some much-needed reinforcements to New Zealand.

China:  John's troops are still at Wuchow and still without a prayer.  He has pulled back his units that had advanced to the big bend in the river between Sian and Yenen.  I don't know if he'll send these guys to Yenen or not.  But I have the interior lines and can reinforce Yenen fairly easily now. 



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 12:51:16 AM)

8/18/43 and 8/19/43
 
Red Planet:  The invasion fleet continues to sail west without interference from major Jap assets.  I think I'm getting cranky due to the tension.   Scattered Jap merchant ships have repeatedly shown up near my CVs, which have accordingly launched massive strikes way beyond the bounds of common sense.  But I can't stand down my aircraft due to the possibility the KB might show up.  Several turns ago I sent John an email to clarify that we agree that the use of picket ships is fine, but that it would not be okay to send out lots of merchants to soak off mission sorties (since the carriers have to remain on full alert and there is no means within the game to distinguish between minor threats - picket AKs - and a major threat like the KB).  John agreed, but still Jap merchant ships are taking similar courses.  I've since raised the matter several more times.  John says he had a huge convoy on the way home to Japan from somewhere far to the SE and that he ordered it to scatter and its just a coincidence that a number of them happen to be on the same course as my CVs.  Even this perplexes me, because I can't envision a sensible sea lane for merchant traffic out here now that Midway is in my hands.  So, one of my CV TFs is now down to 78% mission sorties (the others are mostly around 90%).  This is very frustrating.  Nonetheless, the invasion fleet will continue west another turn and then juke toward Marcus.  We'll see what happens.  (Sallys from Marcus sortied against my middle picket ship, doing severe damage, but the ship has a chance of making it home).

Violet Planet:  The Sumatra invasion force should arrive near shore in about three or four days.  There probably won't be much left there.

Burma:  For the first time in weeks, Allied bombers sortied en masse, hitting the airfield at Moulmein, this time with good effect.  The Japs lost 53 aircraft, the Allies 24.  I've shifted some ground units into Rangoon from the hex to the north and I'll try a deliberate attack tomorrow.  John has considerably weakened his Rangoon garrison; I hope he's weakened it enough that he'll be concerned about the new numbers here.

China:  I think a quiet spell is descending on this theater for awhile.



Q-Ball -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 12:55:56 AM)

What do you have going into Sumatra? You almost certainly have some time to get established, but what are you bringing in terms of troops, base forces, and air forces?

Where do you intend to land there? On the tip, like Sabang, or further south, like Padang?

PS, reading John's AAR, he is telling the truth about that convoy. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and scattered.

What do you call this Gambit, the Hail Mary?



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 1:29:27 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

What do you have going into Sumatra? You almost certainly have some time to get established, but what are you bringing in terms of troops, base forces, and air forces?

Where do you intend to land there? On the tip, like Sabang, or further south, like Padang?

PS, reading John's AAR, he is telling the truth about that convoy. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and scattered.

What do you call this Gambit, the Hail Mary?



The invasion fleet will approach Padang or possibly eastern Sumatra.

Which gambit, my invasion effort or his fortuitous scattering of ships?

I think and hope he's convinced that either Marcus or Iwo Jim is the target. I'll do my best to reinforce that notion. I would like a carrier engagement while I still have plenty of sorties available. If I begin running low, I don't know what I'll do. I can't imagine simply retreating at this point. Yikes.

We've been playing this game since last October; countless hours and effort. Too much for my good, I think. I need to relax.





anarchyintheuk -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 1:47:49 AM)

Odd that I can't remember but can you prep a unit that's split amongst transports? I'd make sure to do that if you can. Landing at an opposed base not prepped = bad juju.



Mike Solli -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 1:49:07 AM)

Yes, you can change the prep for an unit that is on transports, but you have to do each fragment separately.



USSAmerica -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 2:45:02 PM)

[sm=00000613.gif]

I'm still reading, Dan, but I'm reading both sides (and enjoying it immensely), so I'm keeping quiet. 

I am, however, a bit of an AFB, so good luck! [8D]



emek -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 2:54:13 PM)

You need to change primary unit and when that unit recombine it will keep parent preparation.



Canoerebel -> Like a Moose on Eggshells (5/21/2008 4:30:17 PM)

8/20/43
 
Red Planet:  Originally, I conceived Red Planet as a suprise move on Luzon and I had some expectations of stealth; but this operation has all the stealth of a moose walking on eggshells.  The force is simply too big and too slow moving to hide, and John is too astute to overlook much if anything.  So stealth is impossible, but there are still opportunities to mislead.  John probably thinks Marcus or Iwo are likely targets, although he must also wonder about some other locales including Luzon.  So he should continue to try to strengthen places at risk.

I'm not even sure he'll commit the KB.  His Marcus LBA flew two small sorties this turn (all 23 Sallys and Zeros were shot down), so he knows I have a CAP of 386 Hellcats.  So at this point I want to stomp around and bang loudly on pots and pans like a moose on eggshells to attract as much attention as possible.  He may even decide that holding Iwo or Marcus is impossible and that it will be fruitless to sacrifice LBA in hopeless missions.  Or he may load up the island and commit the KB and hope for the best (I am polishing my ability to argue with myself in circles).

My CVs didn't fly any ridiculous missions this turn, so the number of available sorties remains the same.  Thus far none of my ships have taken any damage, and the few Hellcats lost to Ops (3) and a-2-a (1) have been replaced by the replenishment CVEs.  My force has sunk about four APs and downed those 23 aircraft.  Also, John lost 18 Emilys this turn in a-2-a, which I assume would be recon aircraft that came to close to my carriers.

My fleet will move slowly SW the next two days, feinting towards Marcus to see what might happen.  Then I'll change direction and head for Iwo Jima.

SigInt reveals 9th Independent Mixed Regiment at Iwo plus a construction batallion headed that way.  These are the first reports of troops at or heading to Iwo.  I expect that island is held more strongly, but I doubt it could hold off the Allies should that become the target.  SigInt also discloses (once again) that 7th Division is at Sapporo.  That's the only unit I've seen there.  (Meanwhile, Luzon seems to have filled with defenders.)

Violet Planet:  The carriers and transports are proceeding ENE towards either Padang or Telekbetong.  Now that John has spotted Red Planet, I don't want to commit these ships until I'm good and sure that the KB is up around Marcus or somewhere else far far away.

Anzac:  My "noise-making" decoy fleet arrived two hexes from Noumea and apparently hasn't been spotted.  Darn.  Most of the army moving on Broken Hill is a hex away.  Recon shows Broken Hill with 8 Jap units.  I'll find out in a couple of days exactly what's there.

Burma:  An Allied deliberate attack at Rangoon (the first there in many months) came in with adjusted AVs of 5170 (Allies) to 3082 (Japs), a very solid 1:1.   The attack dropped forts to 8 and cost the Allies 2990/97/16 to 1938/66/1.  My troops were only slightly fatigued and disorganized by the assault, so they'll try again tomorrow.  I've schedule a massive air assault on Rangoon also - both against ground troops and the air field.  John doesn't have enough in Rangoon to securely hold the city, so I expect he'll scramble to bring in reinforcements.  That suits me. 

China:  Quiet.  The Japs haven't pulled back from Wuchow or Yenen, but I don't think John is optimistic about his chances at either city.

Map:  See following post.




Canoerebel -> RE: Like a Moose on Eggshells (5/21/2008 4:31:13 PM)

For detailed info about what's going on, see preceding post.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/9D03CC020A8A42A4927531884739DD0C.jpg[/image]



Alikchi2 -> RE: Like a Moose on Eggshells (5/21/2008 4:47:24 PM)

If I was you I would go for Iwo - It's nice and isolated, not too far away, and you have some distance from that nasty dark red airfield on Saipan.



String -> RE: Like a Moose on Eggshells (5/21/2008 4:54:19 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Alikchi

If I was you I would go for Iwo - It's nice and isolated, not too far away, and you have some distance from that nasty dark red airfield on Saipan.


Indeed, and it's a great place to have, as long as you can keep it operational. Later on it's essential for fighter sweeps and getting air superiority over home islands.



castor troy -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 5:45:58 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Yes, you can change the prep for an unit that is on transports, but you have to do each fragment separately.



not necessary, there is one fragment on the transports that is the PARENT unit and if you change this part then all the fragements also change their targets as soon as they are rebuilt to the complete unit. If I want to change preps then I only change this one unit and that has worked ever since.



Mike Solli -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 7:00:16 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Yes, you can change the prep for an unit that is on transports, but you have to do each fragment separately.



not necessary, there is one fragment on the transports that is the PARENT unit and if you change this part then all the fragements also change their targets as soon as they are rebuilt to the complete unit. If I want to change preps then I only change this one unit and that has worked ever since.


Very cool. I never knew that. [:D]



Mistmatz -> RE: Operation Violet Planet (5/21/2008 7:26:05 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: castor troy


quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Yes, you can change the prep for an unit that is on transports, but you have to do each fragment separately.



not necessary, there is one fragment on the transports that is the PARENT unit and if you change this part then all the fragements also change their targets as soon as they are rebuilt to the complete unit. If I want to change preps then I only change this one unit and that has worked ever since.



That is if the parent fragment survives the travel... [;)]

If the parent dies I'm not sure if a fragment on another vessel becomes the parent, my guess would be the parent will defined once one or more fragments are on land again and not while all fragments are on ships. Thus it might be a good idea, albeit cumbersome, to let all fragments plan for the right location.



Canoerebel -> Operation Red Planet (5/21/2008 9:30:12 PM)

8/21/43 and 8/22/43
 
Red Planet:  The invasion fleet sailed toward Marcus on the 21st, then made a radical turn to the west on the 22nd.  There were no incidents over these two days.  Based upon SigInt received about a week ago, John had 50,000 troops on Marcus and I'm sure the base is well mined.  I feel sure he would prefer that I attack there as opposed to Iwo Jima or some other point that is, hopefully, less well-prepared and deeper inside his territory.  I "think" the move on Iwo will intensify the situation, prompting him to react more forcefully.  We'll see.  I still prefer a carrier battle sooner rather than later, but I'm running out of sea room and soon have to decide between Luzon and Iwo.

Anzac:  John's recon finally spotted that mock invasion fleet that sat two hexes from Noumea for three turns.  Bettys sank two AKs and an AS.  I scattered the ships a turn before the attack. Some are heading home to Auckland, others steaming east or southeast to see if there might be any Mini-KBs lurking.  The Aussie army moving west should arrive at Broken Hill tomorrow.  Another, smaller army is sitting a hex outside Adelaide.  I'm simply feeling my way here, probing to see if John is still present in strength.

Burma:  The second Allied deliberate attack on Rangoon wasn't nearly as successful, so I've resumed bombarding.  I think Jap reinforcements are already arriving, which suits me.

China:  John has pulled back from Wuchow.  He has strengthened his force at Yenen, but I've strengthened mine.  I think he might send an army the long way around the northern perimeter to threat Sian from the north, or to threaten the cities to the west, but that will take forever if he does.  I could transport my entire army by Dakotas to meet any threat should he follow that course of action.

Jaws Music:  The Allies are so deeply inside enemy territory that major action could take place any turn; or John could be avoiding a clash out of a healthy respect for Hellcats.  I have no idea what's going to happen, but the Jaws music has begun....



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Red Planet (5/21/2008 9:29:46 PM)

For detailed info regarding map, see preceding post.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/941BF9CAE32C4BBC88EE8F979A206DB9.jpg[/image]



Cap Mandrake -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/21/2008 10:15:59 PM)

Canoe;

This is great sporting fun but can't you go to the whip and speed your horse up? For the Allied fanboys this is Big Brown on the outside at the start of the final stretch. Let him run! [:)]

Do you have some low endurance escorts that are refueling every turn? It seems you are making about 5 kts avg speed.

I hope the radio silence is over. [:)]



Canoerebel -> RE: Operation Violet Planet Postponed (5/21/2008 10:23:32 PM)

Cap, this is all about stomping around, banging on pots and pans, hoping to bring on a carrier engagement.  I want a carrier engagement now, not later (IE, a carrier engagement in which John would have no more than one level four base to lend a hand; as opposed to later when he'll have alot more airbases on Luzon).  So I'm going slowly, hoping John gets nervous about Iwo and then decides to pounce.  If he doesn't pounce and I decide to move on Luzon, I'll speed things up some. 



Canoerebel -> Here Comes the Moose (5/22/2008 4:05:15 PM)

8/23/43 and 8/24/43

Red Planet: The invasion fleet is approaching Iwo, still without incident other than Sallys from Iwo damaging one of the picket AKs. There are signs that John is indeed preparing to vigorously defend Iwo, beyond what he seemed ready to commit had I invaded Marcus. There are minelayers present, APs apparently bringing (or just delivered) troops to the island, carriers nearby, and I think he has emptied the airfield like he did at Midway, worried that an invasion shock attack could take the island on D-Day.

SigInt on the 24th revealed that there are 25,000 Japs at Sapporo (most of those are 7th Division), a very manageable number. I may end up wishing I had gone that way. In fact, no matter what I do I might end up wishing I had done something different.

There are very good reasons to invade Luzon, and equally good reasons to invade Iwo. Both carry great risk. I have made my decision, but I won't reveal it yet.

Operation Violet Planet: The Royal Navy ships are in place south of Sumatra, ready to proceed as soon as I want the distraction (I don't want to spring it early, though, because I want to make sure the KB is at Iwo before I commit the RN carriers.

Australia: Broken Hill is held by 20th Division, three artillery units, and a tank regiment. I'm not sure the Aussie's on hand can handle that, but I'll give the Japs a nudge or two.

Burma: I am puzzled about John's defense of Rangoon. He has on hand 3 1/3 divisions, which isn't enough to hold off the Allies indefinately. He'll have to bring reinforcements, or the city would fall within about a month, I think. If he brings reinforcements, he can hold Rangoon much, much longer. He seems to be concentrating his troops further SE, in the vicinity of Bangkok and Pisanoluke. He may even envision a cross-jungle campaign through Pisanoluke to drive on Taung Gyi. That would be great for the Allies, so I don't think he'll do that.

China: A Jap deliberate attack at Yenen came off at 0:1, didn't touch the 9 forts, and cost them 3979/75/2 to 1570/15. I'm sending another unit or two that way.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/453375643B7E402A95055314369AAE6B.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> RE: Here Comes the Moose (5/22/2008 9:38:03 PM)

8/25/43

Red Planet: The invasion fleet spent the day three hexes east of Iwo Jima. A number of weak Jap TFs were situated north of Iwo, so my carriers launched more massive sorties. This time the pickings were a little better: five MSW, 2 AKs, 5 MLs, and 4 APs have thus far gone under; however, my mission sorties dropped again. My CV TF sortie levels now ranges from 68% to about 80%. There were no attacks against my invasion fleet, but Bettys from Guam did sink the last of my three picket AKs.

So here I am three hexes from Iwo; John has seen me coming for well over a week. He's been mining the port. If he's going to contest my landing, he surely thinks I'm coming ashore tomorrow. But I'm not. I still prefer to move on Luzon. But I'm worried about mission sorties. So what to do?

I'm moving NW, to a point between Iwo and Tori Shima. This accomplishes several things: (1) If John commits assets to interdict the invasion at Iwo tomorrow, my carriers may be in position to hammer them; (2) with my fleet positioned between those two islands tomorrow, John will then have to decide which is the true target and maybe he'll guess wrong or divide his assets; (3) if things go well tomorrow, I'll probably invade Tori Shima the next day, refuel and resupply there, and then move on Luzon.

I keep expecting John to commit the KB, but thus far he's been reluctant to chance a fight against so many Hellcats. I should know tomorrow whether he's willing to commit the KB in a fight over Iwo. If not, I may decide to take Iwo (after taking Tori Shima) rather than moving on Luzon. (Note: No aircraft are based at Iwo - a promising sign that John is concerned that she could fall on the day of an invasion; I'd be alot more antsy if I faced the prospect of 200 LBA in addition to KB air).

Violet Planet: The Royal Navy sails peacefully in the waters south of Sumatra awaiting the opportune time to strike. May the peaceful interlude continue there.

Burma: Allied air strikes have persuaded John to essentially abandon the air over Rangoon (or else he decided he could use the aircraft better elsewhere at the moment). Another strike by Allied bombers destroyed better than two dozen aircraft on the ground. A 1:1 deliberate attack (adjusted AV of 5142 to 2709) resulted in forts dropping to 7. The Allies lost 4364/116/8 to 1798/44. John must reinforce or Rangoon's days as a Jap base are numbered. I think he could hold the city for many more months if reinforced.

[image]local://upfiles/8143/E95E165052454586A63632A0A58B3177.jpg[/image]



Canoerebel -> The Moose is Landing (5/23/2008 1:26:36 AM)

8/26/43

I'm expected at home, so this will be a quick post.

Red Planet: The juke by my fleet to a point between Iwo Jima and Tori Shima didn't flush any big game; my carrier-based air flew more massive strikes, sinking 5 AKs. My surface combat fleet sank two damaged AKs. With mission sorties between 50% and 70%, I think invading Tori Shima is the right call. Cursor intel says it has one unit less than 2,000 men strong. I hope that's true. The invasion force will consist of 147th RCT (loaded in LCIs), 4th Marine Paratroops (APDs), a combat TF with 3 BBs and 2 CAs, and a CVE TF with three escort carriers. The rest of my invasion fleet will take position a hex away and CV Essex's Hellcats will fly LRCAP over Tori. So, what happens when a big Allied fleet sails within five hexes of Tokyo? We're about to find out.

I hope the Jap CVs won't choose this moment to show up. Tomorrow could be painful. But if the invasion works, I can replenish my carriers at Tori Shima and then decide what to do from there.

Burma: The Japs seem to be evacuating Rangoon, which just amazes me. John split all his division into fragments and transported away one fragment from each division. This went on over a period of weeks, and I just figured out he extracted those fragments so that he can rebuilt the divisions if and when Rangoon falls (there's no retreat for the defenders). John is nuts to do this! Rangoon is worth 2,000 points, gives me a big port and airfield, and is non-malarial so that my troops can recover strength. I'm not counting my chickens here, but if I get Rangoon that would be something.

Australia: I can't take Broken Hill. John's three artillery units are tearing my units to shreds. I'll retreat and return later.


[image]local://upfiles/8143/BFE2F2A9E71E413EAF705D40E2FB5ED9.jpg[/image]



Powloon -> RE: The Moose is Landing (5/23/2008 10:38:47 AM)

Good idea to take Tori Shima to replenish your sorties!

Just wondered if you've brought any seabee units a long for the ride? You could use them to build an airfield on chichi jima which might serve several purposes. Having an airfield this deep is a threat your opponent can't ignore, you could use it to base recon assets, transfer long range planes from midway (?) never mind the threat it posses to iwo jima (in between being pounded to dust from Japan). Might keep his mind concentrated on this area for a while while you steam on to Luzon.

Anyway good luck with the operation




Canoerebel -> The Moose Tippy-toes (5/23/2008 5:06:25 PM)

8/27/43
 
Red Planet:  The Allies encountered nothing at Tori Shima but a few mines and a small base force.  Two DDs hit mines - one taking light damage, the other taking moderate damage (and it will head toward Midway).  4th Marine paratroops landed, but for some reason the LCIs carrying 147th RCT only moved two hexes!  4th Paras weren't enough to take the base.  I was somewhat surprised and very relieved that there weren't massive waves of LBA from Tokyo.  The next turn may be trickier; it appears that John has loaded up Tokyo and has at least some aircraft on Iwo Jima.  I've got several things happening:  147th RCT will procede to Tori Shima, but will hazard the landings unescorted.  The transport fleet and carriers will move to a point two hexes from Iwo to both threaten that island and to put a little distance between them and Tokyo.  I've also split off five AKs carrying a Seabee unit and ordered them to Chichi Jima - which is just a dot hex.  If (big IF) things go smoothly tomorrow, I should have Tori Shima (oops, just realized that a Seabee unit isn't going to be able to take a dot hex, so I'll have to detail some ground troops the next day).  I've also created three PT boat squadronds - 6 PTs will head to Tori Shima, 3 to Chichi, and 3 to Iwo where I expect them to be blasted to smithereens by mines.  But I want to scout that territory.  I think I'll land at Iwo the following day.

KB:  Where are the Japs carriers?  A Mini-KB showed up SE of Tongatapu and moderately damaged a picket AK (the sortie consisted of 22 Vals, 16 Kates, and 5 Zeros).  Again, it's a comfort to know that at least one carrier is way off in the middle of nowhere.

Operation Violet Planet:  The Royal Navy fleet encountered several Jap transport TFs south of Java, where I had been cruising in circles waiting to see what happened up around Iwo.  The British torpedo bombers did good work, puting fish into 12 AKS (with 5 confirmed sunk).  I'm sure this ticks John off.  If the KB is anywhere within range, John will be licking his chops. I've ordered my force to sail due south (true south) into the vast expanses of the ocean.  From there, I'll decide where to go - back home, to Australia, or to resume Violet Planet.

Rangoon:  A 1:1 attack (4162 to 2278) reduced forts a notch to 6 and cost the Japs 2279/61 to 3262/83/7.  John is definately pulling out of Rangoon.  He is building up at Moulmein, but I doubt he would try crossing the river, because I have AV 2000 in that hex (IE, I think the Moulmein build-up is defensive).  I have worried a bit about John trying an end-around by sea, but until today figured the twin threats of the RN carriers and LBA would dissuade him.  But he knows now that the RN carriers are way off, so he might try this (but I rate the chances as slim).



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