1943 start slowly (Full Version)

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gladiatt -> 1943 start slowly (7/21/2010 6:17:10 PM)

1st - 9th January 1943

DEI

KOEPANG

-3rd january, 6 Mitchell of 90th US Bsq attack a PG, despite a CAP of 30 jap fighters (50% Zeros, some Tojo, some Nick, some Tonys).
1 bomber is damaged, the PG escape unharmed.

- 4th january, 5 Brewster 339D and 3 Hudson attack through the same CAP of 30 jap fighters, loose 1 Brewster and 2 Hudson and miss an AK.

-7th and 8th january, the raids to slow the repair of this base resume: in 2 days, 170 sorties of B-17 cross the same CAP of 30 jap fighters. 16 B-17 , 4 Hudson and 4 Brewster are destroyed, 48 planes damaged. The jap loose 3 zeros, 2 Tojo, 18 fighters are damaged. The base sustain 6 hits, the runway 80 hits, but this seem not enough to really slow the repair.




[image]local://upfiles/28894/81D5BACF95C64E3EB33332925D7FD591.gif[/image]


- On 9th january, SS Flying Fish sink PC Shonon Maru.



gladiatt -> CHINA still crumbling (7/21/2010 6:39:01 PM)


1st - 9th january 1943

CHINA

Chungking :
Artillery duel between the japs 12 divisions and my 30 corps (of them, only 12 are at full strenght) cause 232 chinese casualties for 2750 japaneses.
A concern is that jap artillery is getting accurate, but for now no threat of being attacked in this city hex.
But in a few days/weeks, when the japs engineers regiment from Ichang area will be free and rested, this could be another story.
On my side, i don't have all units on "Allow reinforcement", but many corps are gathering artillery tubes quicker than infantery squads, thus my firepower could explain these result.
The supply level is better than before, reaching now 25000 without anything that i did in particular.

Ichang suffer daily from air pounding, with no less than 750 sorties of japs level bombers and dive bombers.
I have no more squadrons to defend this place, and the airbase is trashed, allowing the japs to roam freely in the skys.
A try to resupply the place with C-47 end in slaughter (14 Dakotas are downed by the jap LRCAP).

The town suffer land attack on 1st, 2nd, but the japs suffer a bit (odd 0/1 on 2nd january). The japs thus resume artillery bombardement on 3rd, 4th and 5th january. Then the assault come back, dropping 1 level of fort each day.
On 9th january, the japs seize the town. 13000 chinese soldiers surrenders (2 HQ, 2 corps and a base). They didn't had time to escape:

North of Ichang , 4 chinese corps (gathering barely 300 AV) had tried to open an escape road for Ichang.
After repulsing a lone jap tank regiment in december, they now face this unit and a Mongol Div and a jap Inf Div.
On 5th january, an attack fail to clear the road, with heavy losses (2000 chinese casualties for 70 japanese). The japs thought they could repulse my troops, and launch a local counter attack on 7th january, but failing to dislodge my troops.

Anyway, Ichang fate is written on the wall, and the escape road did not worked [:(].
My troops north of the town must now retreat before being cut and destroyed peacemal.
More: Sian and Homan are threatened of being cut from Chungking; but i must now decide if i evacuate these 2 town without a fight (and if so, it must be do really quickly), or condamn all the troops there (roughly 6 HQ and 6 corps) but trying to buy time.

Kunming is now threatened by a stack of 17 japs units.
As there are still 4 understrengh corps trying to retreat from Kweiyang area, and that all the Kweiyang defenders had been destroyed, there is no hope for this place....and thus threatening Yunan.
Soon the japs will be able to cut the supply line between Yunan and Chungking.



gladiatt -> RE: CHINA still crumbling (7/21/2010 6:56:31 PM)


BURMA

Andaman

On 1st january, a new raid (read previous post) target my convoys. 16 zeros and 14 sally face my 15 fighters. 1 P-40 is downed for 3 japs planes, but AK Empire Ballantyne suffer 8 bombs hits (did someone think like ma about all the Whisky cargo ??? [:D] ) and sink 4 days later trying to reach Trincomalee.

- 3rd january, naval bombardement by BB Ise and Yamato and CA Kako. 8 planes are destroyed on ground, 700 casualties.

- 9th january, naval bombardement by the same ships, despite the 300+ mines that my subs laid there. So bad they don't suffer the same fate as DD Kuri.

AKYAB
Trying to find a solution to supply the place whileavoiding loosing too many freighters, i decide to build barges in an Indian base. But sadly, the 8 LCVP created can only gather roughly 70 supply. Anyway, i send them toward Akyab, thinking this could always me.
On 7 th january, when entering Akyab Bay, LCVP 532H encounter SS RO-61 still lurking here (despite a Wellington Squadron on ASW duty), and is shelled to death.

[image]local://upfiles/28894/5854BE8EF2724403A859A9B648640A06.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> RE: CHINA still crumbling (7/21/2010 7:15:20 PM)

BURMA

Moulmein
A sweep is tryed on 1st january. 14 P-40B and 30 P-38 tangle with 8 Tojo and 63 Tonys. 18 japs and 22 allied are downed.


Fail manoeuver to stop the jap retreat from Pagan
Remenber: on 9th december, my british troops manage to repulse 30 japs units out of Pagan. I did not had enough time to have units on all hex near Pagan. Thus the japs find a way to escape just West of Pagan, across the Irrawaddy.
Counting on the fact that the japs units would walk at the same rate then british/indian/dutch/chinese troops, i expected a 1 mile per day travel.
For a month, my LBA in India had to share their task between Ship attack, Airfield attack, and harassement of these retreating units. I even had some LRCAP above them, hopping to halt all kind of air resupply. I only catch 1 jap airtransport, but how many could have fly to help these japs ??

A few weaks allied units even get in the middle of the jap retreat path. I expected to send another one.
But i was wrong on the jap speed [:@][:(] (why are they so quick ??).
On 2nd january, the jap 55th Div cross the Irrawaddy. The shock attack don't repulse my troops, and cost 700 jap casualties for 20 allied.
On 3rd january, 2 others units ( 4th mix Bde and 33rd Div) cross the Irrawaddy, and cause 400 japs casualties for 50 allied.
But on 4th january, the japs launch an all out attack (shock) at 13/1 wich repulse my forces.
The retreat way is open [:(].
At last on 5th january, the sky allow my planes to make 200 sorties, harassing the japs still trying to evacuate.
Coming from Pagan after some rest (but too long, as i guessed wrong the speed of these units) chinese 28th Div cross the Irrawaddy west of Pagan. Then until 9th january, this unit conduct land bombardement, with small results, but hoping to slow down (or stuck ) the rest of the stack ( 6 arty, 4 AA, 2 Tanks, 3 base, 3 engineers).

[image]local://upfiles/28894/C5B3F1DF6D4A46C3848E0494E2657CAE.gif[/image]

On 6th january, a raid of 15 P-40 and 31 Mitchell attack too much south: the bombers group has probably keep a unit as target, not a location, thus falling in an ambush: 23 Tony and 5 Tojo hammer me. For the loss of 5 japs, 10 P-40 and 6 Mitchell are destroyed [:(][8|]. No P-38 dare escort although their range is correctly set.

South Irrawaddy
Having good result on land bombardement, my forces in the south launch 3 armored punch, on 1st, 5th and 9 th january.
Between these assaut and the land bombardement, my troops suffered 950 casualties for 4600 japanese.
I hope the growing number of jap casualties by land bombardement mean he is lacking supply or suffering disruption.




gladiatt -> SOPAC is heating (7/21/2010 7:43:31 PM)

SOPAC 1st - 9th January

Funafuti
Rufe are not absolute killers , but these float planes are quite dangerous.
-1st january, A raid of 33 Liberators from Pago Pago is not able to hurt the base, but score a few hits on the supply (two).
- another raid on 2nd give one plane shot on each side. But still only 2 hits on supply.

- 4th january, SS S-31 sink a MSW at Funafuti.

- 7th january, the 3 Rufe on CAP down 3 of the attacking 38 B-24 for a jap fighters, but still only hits on supply (1).
Sadly, i would have prefered to damage the base itself, hoping to slow it's building.


PORT MORESBY
After a raid of 30th dec and the jap DD avoiding retaliation on 31th, the TF is still in range on 1st january.
A CAP of 11 zeros protect. 18 P-38 and 14 twin-engine bombers attack it. 3 zeros and 1 P-38 are downed,. DD Hakaze suffer a bomb hit. A second raid in the afternoon cost me a P-38. DD Hakaze suffer another hit, along with DD Kazegumo.
I will learn with great pleasure on 5th january the sinking of DD Hakaze in Rabaul Harbor. At last some japs ship start to sink !! [sm=00000622.gif]

On 2nd january, closing to Rabaul, these 4 DD avoid the sub attack of SS S-45.
This sub , hunted by ASW TF on 3rd january, hunker down, but on 4th january, is back in Rabaul port and sink a MSW.

GASMATA
On 5th january, 6 Boston attack an AP at Gasmata, hitting it with a bomb. 15 zeros and 10 Tonys on CAP tangle with my 18 P-38 on escort. 1 Lightning is downed for 6 japs fighters (good day ! [8D] ).
Even if this AP don't sink, let's hope this kind of attack mark the beginning of a new era.

[image]local://upfiles/28894/2160D083024F466FAC4412E28DFC5DC4.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> RE: SOPAC is heating (7/21/2010 7:44:11 PM)


The attack at Gasmata

[image]local://upfiles/28894/68968D7A7B964696839D84F6119BE426.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> PORT MORESBY UNDER ATTACK (7/21/2010 7:54:40 PM)


PORT MORESBY UNDER ATTACK 8th and 9th January

In these 2 days, the jap send 4 raids against my shipping supplying Port Moresby.

106 sorties of zeros and 70 sorties of Bettys face 40+ allied fighters. 75th, 76th, 77th RAAF sq ( Kittyhawk I) and 24th FG/C ( P-38G)
make themselves know to the japs !
For the loss of 9 Kittyhawk and 1 P-38, the japs suffer the losses of 68 Zeros and 22 Bettys !!
An australian MSW is sink, and 1 AP and 2 AK badly damaged.
SLDR Turnbull (75th RAAF) shoot 4 planes, reaching ace status. FLT Morris ( 77th RAAF) score 3 kills reaching 16 kills.

I hope this hurt him [sm=00000643.gif] [:o].



[image]local://upfiles/28894/91943F5BEBEF4A5E8F193AC2CF5B24F2.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> subwar start (7/21/2010 8:02:17 PM)


SUBWAR

In these 9 first days of 1943 , my subs are now on "hunting mode", or even "hurting mode" [;)].
They made 22 contact (attack or jap ASW attack). They managed to sink 5 MSW and 1 PC, while damaging an AP (at Tulagi) and an AK (at Kwajalein) , loosing 1 (Haddo, hit by 3 direct hits at Truck, is still struggling to reach an allied port, but seem on it's way of sinking).
Let's hope all this will only grow on my side, with better targets and better results.

On 9th january, at Tarawa, SS Whale and SS S-34 are both hits by japs patrol planes, Kates and Emily. A jap TF with BB and CV is spotted sailing south.
Another raid on my shipping lanes ? Probably.
I must scatter several convoys TF, and some will loose a long time escaping the japs and then sailing back (some could even be destroyed).
In a few months, i will be able to counter these deep raids ! [sm=00000106.gif]

[image]local://upfiles/28894/35D1C30AE7FF4B979F554131C6020980.gif[/image]



1275psi -> RE: subwar start (7/22/2010 10:14:43 AM)

And now the fun begins for you at last -the biggest problem becomes keeping jap player in the game!



flaggelant -> RE: subwar start (7/22/2010 5:07:50 PM)

talking 'bout motivation;

how many capital ships & ca's have been sunk on both sides?



gladiatt -> RE: subwar start (7/22/2010 7:41:30 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

And now the fun begins for you at last -the biggest problem becomes keeping jap player in the game!


Hmmm, it seem to me that
1° this jap player has still a few arrow for it's bow (does it make sense in english ?). The fact he is swallowing China piece after piece make me think he is capitalizing VP for the future.
There are still hard battle to be fight. And i am not ready for offensive;

2) I have a feeling (maybe wrong ) that Jan is less imune to psy war than i am

3) if at one point he leave, i won't judge him, having been by this point of vue



gladiatt -> RE: subwar start (7/22/2010 7:46:49 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: flaggelant

talking 'bout motivation;

Ouch, make me feel ashame [:o]. Yes, it is becoming a bit more funny for me. But as i stated to 1275psi, there are still heavy fightings to fight....

how many capital ships & ca's have been sunk on both sides?

There is a summary of capital ship losses on post 257 and 258, at the end of November 1942; if my mermory doesn't fail me, there was no change since (in capital ships. Many AK loss on my side, and a few bunch of DD and MSW on his side).



Anyway, thanks for interest guys.
Flagellant, this is a long time since your AAR was update; any chance to see it running again ?
1275psi, i am one of your reader. Very impressed in the life you give to your character, and the feeling about flying !
(although to be perfectly honest, the best book about the feeling of fighting in the air was written by Free French Ace Pierre Clostermann in "Le grand Cirque". If you don't know it, i recommend it warmly, don't know if it was translate ).



flaggelant -> RE: subwar start (7/22/2010 9:39:39 PM)

looks like an offensive will have to wait a bit indeed, but it will come eventually [8D]

well, were playing our game in about 2 turns a week so progress is slow..

added to that were kind of in a low period, with not much happening, the landings in india are on the march, china is starting to rumble, and the pacific is quiet (except for
wake, which is gonna be a mayor field of battle as far as i can tell)

ill start updating again once important stuff starts happening on the fronts



gladiatt -> CHINA die slowly (7/27/2010 5:35:36 PM)


10th - 17th January 1943

CHINA

Chungking

The land artillery duel rage on. In the week, the jap cause 170 chinese casualties. The chinese artillery cause 3300 jap casualties. If these could be real losses, that would be nice, but i know land bombardement mainly disable squads.
Does it burn up supply to recover these squads, or is supply just needed ? Does one of my reader know ?

Getting a closer look to my units, and despite having 20000+ supplys in the capital (a nice thing to see), it seem the units are not able to get more squads for reinforcement. Should probably have an even more closer look to be sure, but a bit lazy here.

The chinese bombers try to help harassing the japs, but there are now Tojo LRCAPing Chungking.
Despite the RAF 28th squadron (Spitfire Vb) giving escort, it is chinese 29th CFS ( I-16) that tangle with them. Between 13th and 15th january, the losses are 3 Tojo, for 3 I-16 and 2 SB2c. These bombing add a little 34 japs casualties....

North of Ichang
(have a look at the map).
On 10th january, a jap div cross Yangtse River East, repulsing a shattered chinese division, thus cutting the retreat path of the 4 corps that were trying to relieve Ichang last week.
Despite setting an allied base for destination, these corps (and 2 HQ) end stucked at 59 miles, just one little mile away from liberty.
They are hammered by the japs, now gathering 2 Div, a Mongol Cav Div, 1 Art unit and a Tk Reg. My chinese corps suffer 1240 casualties. These units are now condamned because of a stupid trick of stucking their walking. They are melting more or less quickly under the japs blow.
The number of VP for ground unit still raise for the japs, and that's not going to end soon.

South West of Kweiyang.
( have a look at the map; unfortunately, the whole front is so small it all go on a single screenshot [8|] )

17th january, after days of land bombardement, the 3 japs units ( 2 Div and a Bde) pursuing my 4 retreating corps attack at 85/1, loosing 750 casualties for 200 chinese. My units are repulsed....and despite the losses (and 30 VP for the jap), this give me nearly 8 days of bonus for walking !! [:'(].

Kweiyang is now hosting jap planes (no reccon to tell how much, but airbalance is 1000 in favor of the japs).

Kunming
After a journey to Dacca for refit and upgrade, chinese 5th CBS start to use the brand new B-25J to harass the 17 frightening japs units closing to the town. Sadly, the weather or bad moral check lead to only 1 mission in 6 days.

Homan
(still on the map [8|] )
Once again, 4 japs units are seen lurking in the wild, between Ichang and Homan, probably aiming for a surrounding of Homan.
Still not sure of what to do, evacuate, or fight and die (but earning a bit of time).


[image]local://upfiles/28894/CBDC48DAC1D34E4E9C4A6A91AF60C03F.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> Koepang is a costly target (7/27/2010 5:51:30 PM)


10th - 17th january 1943

DEI

KOEPANG

Between 10th and 13th january, nothing occur (despite some orders).

On 14th january, once again, my 2 bombers groups of B-17 ( 5th BG and 43th BG) launch an attack on the airbase.
37 japs fighters on CAP fight my 7 Brewster and 77 Flying Fortress. 6 Brewster and 2 B-17 are shot down. The dutch pilots are overwhelmed by the japs , but the gunners of the boeing manage to shoot 6 japs fighters ! The base suffer 5 hits, the runway 45.

Another raid on 15th gather 55 B-17. They loose 3 bombers and shoot 2 fighters, scoring 28 hits on runway.
Same day, another raid on jap shipping by 5 Hudson lead to the losse of 3 of them, missing the target, a PG.
Sadly 2 squadrons of B-25 ( one US and one dutch) are set to naval attack at full range, wich could reach Koepang, but no Mitchell dare to attack.

As there are many jap ships sighted at Koepang, i decide to set my B-17 to Naval Attack (and still no B-25 come along).
On 16th, 27 of these Flying Fortress shoot a Tojo on CAP (loosing 1 plane to ops losses) and hitting AK Nitiyo with 7 bombs.

Another raid on 17th with 33 B-17 and 3 Hudson cost me a Hudson for a Tony. 2 AK are hit by 2000 lb bombs. What a waste [8|].
I seem to remenber these weapons are used randomly by high exp units. But from my GC against the AI, they NEVER were used against a warship.
Incredibly, no ship sink...

Near Kendari , SS Flying Fish is hit by patrol planes. With high flooding and a slow speed, it sail south toward Australia, but too slowly. On 13th, hit by another patrol plane, it sink.

JOLO and ILOILO
Are bombed quite daily by bettys and Sallys on training run.

On 16th, near Jolo, SS Skipjack hit AK Nisshun with 3 torpedos and sink it, but damaged by the ASW escort, it change location, getting closer to Australia.

[image]local://upfiles/28894/008C6DC3F99642AA9EC7BF86ED7DF3B9.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> Luang Prabang : a new target (7/27/2010 6:04:17 PM)


10th - 17th January 1943

Luang Prabang

This base raised quickly in the last weeks, from level 1 airfield to level 4 !! This probably mean a big number of engineers units.
What could be the goal of my opponant ? Earning a few base victory points ?
Having a big base for an air offensive, or something else ??

Between 10th and 16th january, no less than 10 raids are launched by my planes.
It gathered 159 bombers sorties and 178 fighters sorties (90% of these are P-38 from 4 differents squadrons).
The japs CAP usually count 40+ Tonys on defense.
No less than 31 allied fighters are downed, and 17 bombers, during these raids. It costed the japs 73 Tonys.
A total of 9 hits on the airbase and 55 runway hits are scored in the week, but so quickly repaired ! [X(].
(must really have a great number of engineers here).

At the end of the week, the base is operationnal, with 60 japs fighters and 60 auxiliaries hosted here.


[image]local://upfiles/28894/11FF056760404483BCA8B531A0AAA102.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> War in Burma (7/27/2010 6:09:09 PM)

10th - 17th January 1943

BURMA

Akyab

13th January, a TF of 5 DD is attacked while closing to Akyab. 18 LBA don't manage a single hit [:@].
Although 10 zeros on CAP are downed for 3 allied fighter and 1 Beaufort, it really p.... me to lack result here.

On 14th january, this TF is not even attacked although in range.



[image]local://upfiles/28894/B3C30E08CD7B4C0DAB9DE4EDA722948D.gif[/image]


Andaman

On 11th January, 4 japs MSW come during the night to clear minefield protecting the island [X(]. No allied sub catch them.
What's going on here ??? In the morning, the MSW escape without any air raid from the Blenheim of Andaman.

On 15th january, 5 blenheims from Andaman attack BB Yamato, don't hurt it, and have 2 planes damaged.
Then came the storm.
On 16th january, 5 japs BB ( Hyuga, Yamato, Yamashiro, Fuso, Ise) and CA Kako come to nuke my base.
Fotunately, BB Hyuga hit a mine; but the others ship make a real mess, nuking the island: 20 planes are destroyed, there are 900 casualties, the 2 150mm gun from a dutch base are destroyed without firing a single shot back, and the base suffer 13 hits, and 24 on runway !
On 17th, 81 Sally come to add damages, along with 9 zeros on LRCAP above my base. 3 Hawk 75 of F2-VIG-III groep and 4 P-40E of AVG/C only are operationnal and take off to fight. 2 of my P-40E are shoot by the Sallys [X(]; 8 japs bombers are destroyed.
1 LT Burgard (AVG/C) shoot 4 bombers, reaching now 31 Kills, thus rising to 4 th place to the top pilot list.

Trying to defend the place, 2 british subs are sent toward Andaman; and the 2 dutch laying mines ( O-19 and O-20) receive the help of many damaged subs ( a few US and a few dutch) to lay mines.

IRRAWADDY

The fight on hex 30:33 , 120 miles north of Rangoon, is raging on ! (there is a screenshot of the 6 japs units at post 282 ).
The jap land bombardement (and a allied attack on 13th january) cause 550 allied casualties.
The allied artillery, and the armored punch of 13th january, cost the japs 3000 casualties.

But still, no hopes of breaking the lines, the japs gather 80000 mens against the 50000 allied, and 1600 AV against 1100 allied.

North of this front line, on 16th january, 1st chinese Tank Reg is back on the trail on the west bank of Irrawaddy:
i hoped to find there 2 weaks units, having the feeling (proven wrong) that the japs div retreating from Pagan went to Rangoon to rest.
In fact, 21st and 55th japs div ( 667 AV) are still keeping open this path; my small chinese unit is throw back with losses (150 mens and 7 vehicules...on the 15 of the unit, unable to fill it's TOE).
Thus, i have no more hope to close this road for the 19 units still north of this point (just West of Pagan).
And sadly, the weather grounded my planes, and less than 100 sorties are flown to harass these japs in 7 days.




gladiatt -> SOPAC (7/27/2010 6:45:10 PM)

10th - 17th January 1943

PORT MORESBY

The raids of the last week keep on one more day:
On 10th january, 2 japs raids gather 24 sorties of zeros and 42 of bettys. My CAP loose 2 planes and destroy 7 zeros and 19 bettys.
2 AK are hit by torpedoes, and set on fire.

11th january, a TF of 3 japs DD Raid the port

[image]local://upfiles/28894/5D834A59B27B48E2970721E71141F781.gif[/image]

a TF of 8 SC is hammered, loosing 3 ships unable to fire back.
Once more this TF came unspotted !! And it entered the place without being engaged by my new TF of PT Boats ! [:@].
The leader of this TF is dismissed, and send in garison duty in Antartic continent, couting the penguin !![:@].
A new leader ( a RearAdm) is given command of this PT Boat TF, with high agressiveness, hoping to get to fight nex time.
What a pity, what works for others players don't seem to act for me....[:(]

This TF "disapeared" of my spotting range....and only came back on 15th january south of Port Moresby.
Where had it hide for 3 days ?
Probably in the "patrol gap" south of Port Moresby and East of Townsville, north of Noumea.

Bombers from Port Moresby attack, facing a CAP of Zeros.
In 2 days, 57 LBA sorties and 64 sorties of fighters achieve 3 hits: 2 on DD Asakaze and one on DD Akikaze (wanted to take a screenshot but paint failed). Both DD are seen on fire, but none sink [:(].
This is a 6% hit rate, far far away from the 25% hit rates of the japs bombers [:(][:@], and despite my crews having in the high 70's experience.
Damn, no offensive can get ready with a threat like these japs raiders roaming "free" close to my base.

On 16th, a minefield is discovered at Port Moresby, cleaning is in progress.
On 16th, a minefield is discovered the hard way at Townsville, one LCM is sunk. Cleaning in progress.
No jap sub spotted laying these mines [:(]

GILI GILI & EFATE
Are bombed roughly on a daily basis.

On 13th January, 89th BS from Luganville (B-25) spot and attack a TF of at least 5 ships near Ndini in the Santa Cruz Island.
7 Sorties result in one bomb hit on PG Hakkaisan, seen on fire. The TF escape East, without any sign of sinking [:(]. What was he doing here ???

On 17th january, at Efate, I-23 and I-8 are hit by patrol planes. Let's hope they will sink.



gladiatt -> KB RAID PAGO PAGO ( TRAP ? ) (7/27/2010 7:38:50 PM)

14th - 17th January 1943

KB RAID PAGO PAGO

Is KB trying to lure me into a trap ? Wishing to draw me close in a CV vs CV battle ?
Is it just trying to reduce Pago Pago ? In order to stop my harassement of Funafuti so the base could rise ?


Fortunately, convoys sailing close to Pago Pago had a 2 days warning and spread. A 50000 fuel convoy sail south toward Australia on 13th january (should reach Australia in 20 days); another one with an entire division from WC sail back toward Pearl, having now 4 days of advance in case of pursuit.

On 14th, KB set itself at 5 hex NW of Pago Pago, and start raiding my base.
9 CV are identified by the name of airsquadrons:
AII Kaga; BI Soryu; BII Hiryu; CI Hosho; DII Junyo; DIII Hiyo; EI Shokaku; EII Zuikaku.
These ships can gather 346 bombers and 156 fighters.
To defend the place, there is only 24 fighters of VMF 112 (F4F Wildcats) and 96 bombers ( 1 group of B-24, 1 squadron of B-25, 2 squadrons of SBD Dauntless). And, and it will prove very useful, nearly 80 Flack point in several US Base and a USMC Df Bn.

Sadly, as soon as 14th january, 70% of my bombers are destroyed on ground or damaged, and Pago Pago is unable to strick back [:(]. Some bombers could have flown a retaliatory strike, and this explain that only 18 F4F were protecting the base: i had a 30% set to escort bombers; this hope vanished after just one day of fight.
As usual, what work for others don't work for me, because i hoped for the 4E to attack despite lacking escort.



[image]local://upfiles/28894/C0047CD18660494F891B9BD56023CB9B.gif[/image]


The base is raided on 14th, 15th , 16th and 17th january (errr, sorry, once more paint failed to take all the screenshot i wanted).
Kates and Vals made 667 sorties, with 95 sorties of zeros. Probably most of the 150 zeros of KB are on CAP, because they never was more than 30 fightes covering the raids.
Well, days after days, the need of escort disminish with the amount of allied bombers destroyed on ground. Total of 4 days of raids: 65 bombers destroyed on ground.
But VMF 112 claim 46 japs bombers (and 2 zeros). FO Farell and FO Jordan each score 6 kills.
Flack is also more accurate than on a warship! with only 80 point, it down no less than 36 bombers, and damage 211 others !!
( calcul of each days battle lead me to think that each jap CV can repair nearly 4 planes each day; so 9 CV mean 36 repaired each days; in 6 days at the most, all these damaged planes will be back in fight).

Sadly, day after day, the airbase suffer and the damages raise. It could soon be out of operation.
At least, the place seem safe, having a US RCT and a marine Df Bn behind a fort level 7, and 80 flak point.
Now, question is still: WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS RAID ??

North of the fight, at Tarawa, on 16th january, SS Pogy hit AO Notoro with 2 torps, seing a nice message : FUEL CARGO BURNING.
On 17th january, the AO sink. Let's hope it will hinder KB move.

If Jan wanted to lure me in a trap and destroy my CV, i think he won't be pleased: my CV are far away (will not tell where), but scattered in 3 TF. If i had to fight, i should have made it after second day of raid, when the most bombers were shot or damaged.
Now is too late, the repair is going on (i think) and i don't feel to tangle with zeros and Kate with only old F4F and SBD too short legged.
I must learn to wait.



flaggelant -> RE: KB RAID PAGO PAGO ( TRAP ? ) (7/27/2010 11:04:11 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: gladiatt

14th - 17th January 1943

KB RAID PAGO PAGO

Is KB trying to lure me into a trap ? Wishing to draw me close in a CV vs CV battle ?
Is Flack is also more accurate than on a warship! with only 80 point, it down no less than 36 bombers, and damage 211 others !!
( calcul of each days battle lead me to think that each jap CV can repair nearly 4 planes each day; so 9 CV mean 36 repaired each days; in 6 days at the most, all these damaged planes will be back in fight).



perhaps it has something to do with bombing altitudes, i noticed that naval bombers are set to a lower standard to bomb at, than LB. When bombing a land target with naval bombers it probably causes more casualties when bombing at "naval alt."

Not sure if this is how it is best explained, but its just something i noticed, the difference between 10,000 feet and 15-20,000 feet must have an impact on AA effect.



gladiatt -> 18th - 24th January in China (8/4/2010 5:31:51 PM)

18th - 24th January 1943

CHINA

Chungking

The usual artillery duel cause 94 chinese casualties for 1300 japanese casualties.
What i had fear seem true (but analysis is still in the run) : the chinese units don't receive reinforcement. I am doom,because no other chinese city is able to reach the 20000 supply level that could allow this.

Few sorties of the chinese bombers, with light result (and 1 Sb2c destroyed by jap flak).

Ichang
North of Ichang, the japs hammer the units trying in vain to withdraw to the north.
Between 18th and 21 january , several deliberate attack by the japs cause 1000 japs casualties for 23000 chinese.
2 HQ and 4 corps surrender...(don't trust my screenshot, i put the legend before reading my notes: the surrending is 21th january).

Just north of this hex, 2 weakened chinese corps try to repulse the jap div closing the escape path, but fail on 20th.
After the surrenders of 21th, these 2 corps run away up north, trying to escape the fate of too severals corps.



[image]local://upfiles/28894/CAE402B558084B71AE3EDE8AC8091AF8.gif[/image]


Kunming
Close to Kunming, a retreating chinese corps get just in the middle of the road of the japs stack. It is hammered on 20th january at an impressive odd of 6721/1. 1000 chinese casualties and reteat toward Kunming.
The 4 corps retreating from Nanning (since now 3 months ?) are hammered by japs dive bombers.

On 22th january, 9 Tojo and 46 bombers attack Kunming for the first time. 2 bombers are downed by the flak.

As the jap reach Kunming on 23th january, i decided to launch a deliberate attack with 4 understrengh corps (gathering roughly 450 AV ) against a lone jap unit. Damn, the attack launched on 24th face 2 japs div, and fail with high casualties [:(].
675 japs casualties for 1400 chinese, and a lot of direct loss for me (17 ground VP against me this turn).
The huge stack of now 19 japs units will be besieging the place in a few days. Then, in probably 2 weeks, it will fall to the japs.
It will then cut the Burma road, and bye bye China.
Sadly, the bad weather and lack of long range fighters didn't allowed my 2 chinese bombers squadrons refited on B-25J to harass the japs.

AVG/A that used to cover the area is still in Dacca for rebuilding after the fight over Luang Prabang (see below and previous week).
AVG/C is reduced to nil at Andaman (see below). AVG/B was withdraw in January....1942 in the Malayan campaign, and respawned at San Francisco 2 months later with 2 P-40B; the pool of fighters of all kinf deplet so quickly that i never had the occasion to refill this unit and to sent it back to front. Hmm, where for, Australia, the sea being close between India and Australia.

LUANG PRABANG
2 raids on 19th and 20th january lack escort and are made solely by B-17 of 19th BG.
16 B-17 out of 56 sorties are shot down. 10 Tonys are destroyed on ground or in the air. But the base is still operationnal.
With the need that arrise along Irrawaddy, these raids are stopped.



gladiatt -> ANDAMAN NUKED (8/4/2010 5:57:46 PM)

18th - 24th january 1943

ANDAMAN

The pounding of the base (started last week) keep on !
The airbase is quickly out of order.
On 19th january, my CAP is only 3 fighters, wich score no results. But as soon as 20th, i have no more planes able to fly.

In the week, the japs launch 11 air raid, gathering 920 sorties , and destroying 60 planes on ground (Catalina, Blenheim, Hawk75, Hurricanes, P40E).
The japs also aim the ground units, attacking twice British 13th Indian Brigade (depleted to a big batalion).



[image]local://upfiles/28894/56604D6FC5854758B07258C8C2A00A31.gif[/image]


Twice, a jap TF of MSW come to clear the mines defending the island, on 20th and 24th january !!
Nothing to counter this : no MSW hit a mine, no sub catch them, and no bombers are in range to strike this.

Twice, a TF of 5 BB Hyuga ( back after hitting a mine, must have been just a scratch [:(] ), Ise, Yamato, Yamashiro, Fuso and CA Kako, shore bombard the island; 2300 casualties in my troops, and the base just look like the moon.
As for the MSW TF, nothing catch these BB.
No fighter could give cover to a surface TF of RN ships, wich would be in range of bettys and sallys.
So i have nothing to defend the island.
I fear that i should resigne to see an invasion here that would wippe the defenders. Loosing Andaman would deprive me of a future springboard (like at Koepang ), wich could be the goal of my opponant. It would also put a great risk on any shipping in the Bengal Bay.
My strategy is an utter failure, and i see no solution to get out of the dead end where i am stucked.



gladiatt -> BURMA THREATENED TO COLLAPSE (8/4/2010 8:16:00 PM)

18th - 24th January 1943

BURMA

AKYAB
After RO-61 shelled 2 barges in the night of 18th january, a TF of 7 japs DD enter the port in the night of 19th, sinking all 6 remaining LCVP and get out without any stricke back in the morning, and no spotting of the incoming.
No japs DD hit a mine, no sub on patrol catch them ....[:(].
Akyab is running low on supply. If i become dry here, i would have to withdraw my planes in Dacca, loosing a lot of range.
Strategy dead ended here.

Irrawaddy



[image]local://upfiles/28894/41C1F30606984683A5D8A2A2442ACE00.gif[/image]

Once more the japs dominate me (except maybe in the air).
Have a look at this map.
1 - The japs units, retreating from Pagan (since 9th december), stuck for now by my chinese unit.
These units are pounded from time to time by my bombers flying from India, hoping to disrupt and destroy slowly a part of these units;
2 - On 19th january, japs 21st Div cross the Irrawaddy north of my main position. Strangely it does not trigger a shock attack.
Fortunately, a chinese corps was here, and now try to hold the place. A artillery unit, that was resting in Pagan, is sent here to bolster the defense.
3 - My main force on Irrawaddy bank. The threat on these force is huge, so i decided to walk back north, heading for Mandalay.
Sadly, the pathfinding lead the unit due East toward a jungle hex. Getting me here would take a month to walk to another hex. Too long for me, i cannot afford such a delay.
So i decided to try an all-out attack at the south position (3 on the map), thinking that after weeks of good land bombardement results i could succeed.
Failure ! [:(]. The attack at odd0/1 mean i loose 1700 casualties, 35 guns and 6 vehicules, for 700 japs and 10 guns.
Now, stuck in the south, i must rely on my airforce to try to shatter and disrupt the japs on the 3 locations along the Irrawaddy.
This is a big effort for my assets.
If i loose my troops here, it would be a real disaster, and it would allow the japs to close the Burma Road.
Hey, anyway, China is slowly disapearing, so why should i bother [8|].



gladiatt -> RE: BURMA THREATENED TO COLLAPSE (8/4/2010 8:39:51 PM)


AIRWAR IN BURMA

Since the threat on all my front along the Irrawaddy, i must rely on my planes to help me there.

I have nearly 300 bombers based in India; but only 5 US fighters squadrons, wich are only able to provide long range cover.

My airforce launched 380 LBA sorties in one week. Wich prove that the weather greatly reduce the avalaible missions.
These sorties on the 3 locations cause 969 japs casualties, 27 guns. But the japs take a toll, the Tojo and Tonys trying to provide cover.
To reduce the threat of these japs fighters, my Lightning, between severals escorts missions, launch 2 Sweep.
One, on 20th january claim 22 Tony destroyed for 3 P-38.
Second sweep, on 23th, claim 25 Tony and 4 Tojo for 8 P-38.

The whole weeks costed me 21 fighters and 10 bombers; it costed the japs 67 fighters.

[image]local://upfiles/28894/AF15DE72432B495899C9D4662CD50A5A.gif[/image]



gladiatt -> DEI and SOPAC (8/4/2010 9:00:47 PM)

18th - 24th January 1943

DEI

Koepang

Nothing until 22th january.
The reccon by an australian squadron of Hudson indicate that the airfield is cleaning it's damages, so once more a raid is ordered.
On 22th, 68 B-17 and 7 dutch Mitchell face the usual CAP of 32 japs fighters. 2 zeros are downed for 4 Mitchell and 2 B-17; airbase suffer 2 hits, runway 36.
After one day of rest, another raid is launched on 24th. 6 B-25 and 60 B-17 against 36 japs fighters. That time is more costly than usual. 1 zero is downed for 4 Mitchell and 4 Boeing. Airbase suffer 1 hit, runway 30.
Even if costly, i am not ready to give up yet here.

JOLO and Iloilo are bombed quite daily.


SOPAC

Pago Pago
18th january is the last day of raid by KB. 48 Vals and 54 Kate, escorted by 30 zeros, fight with the 3 F4F left of VMF 112.
The zeros down a Wildcat, but the 2 remaining Wildcats manage to shoot 1 bomber. 6 others are destroyed by the flak, and 40 are damaged.
The loss on ground amount to 19 planes of all types. The airbase suffer 5 hits and the runway 43.
But as KB withdraw north, the repair are quickly cleaned, in 2 days. The squadrons of bombers are refilled with planes.

On 24th january, SS Kingfish, guided by the patrol planes from Suva or Pago, manage to cross the path of KB; but it didn't had opportunity to shoot, being hunted by the ASW escort of the CV Soryu.

Efate
After spotting several japs subs at Efate, i decided once more ( remenber, back in november , i sent an APD TF ? ) to send
some ASW assets there : 2 australian MSW of Bird class, with 6500 endurance.
But on 19th, my TF is attacked by 15 Bettys from Rabaul. 8 P-400 from Luganville try to give LRCAP cover. They down 2 bettys, but MSW Kingfisher is hit by a torpedo. Docking in emergency at Luganville, it nevertheless sink in port.
The other MSW sail back to Noumea : no way i loose my assets for no results.

PORT MORESBY

[image]local://upfiles/28894/53DAD51963F74B4F9ED2FDBA7DC5603A.gif[/image]

23th january, another raid of 6 japs DD come unspotted, probably hiden in thunderstorms [:@][:(].
But this time, the Welcome Comitee was here !! [sm=00000612.gif]
2 japs DD are sunk for 1 PT Boat. The rearadmiral commanding here as heard that another leader is now frozing in antartica counting the penguin, and he prefer to choose another way....
Sadly, the remnants DD escape unspotted, although i have some bombers that have enough range.
Trailer: one more air raid on 25th january.

Next offensive schedulded for nov 1943, once CV will have Hellcatts and Helldivers, and once P-47D would have fill some squadrons [8|].

SUBWAR

6 subs attacks, 3 asw attacks, 5 targets hits, 3 sunk, biggest prey: an AK. 1 sub hit, 0 sub lost.



1275psi -> RE: 1943 start slowly (8/5/2010 9:09:55 AM)

In stock, a lot of allied players would be very pleased to hold any of Burma - they usually lose it -and half of india too
Losing China is a given -live with it until late 44



gladiatt -> RE: 1943 start slowly (8/5/2010 9:33:49 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: 1275psi

In stock, a lot of allied players would be very pleased to hold any of Burma - they usually lose it -and half of india too
Losing China is a given -live with it until late 44


i am really amazed each time vet's players like you or Rtrapasso, well in fact any others players, told me that i am not doing bad (but i don't pretend that i do well, and i won't have the "guts" to think i am good).
I really have a feeling of not doing quite well.
Or maybe that's my opponant not doing well, altough he kill me nearly everywhere [;)].

Anyway, i try to stuck to this game, and i also comment the game from a Headquater point of vue: if the jap threaten to break my lines in Burma, i tell it like the fact.
And i also try to be honest toward the good results of my opponant.

And i still thanks those who comment here (or read, i was surprized to see nearly 30 "hits" in one day after my update).
To all those who read, thanks, and if you want to see something, just ask; if not classified, i will try to answer.
Friendly to all of you
Eric



Mongol_Horde -> RE: 18th - 24th January in China (8/6/2010 10:13:36 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: gladiatt

18th - 24th January 1943

CHINA

Chungking


What i had fear seem true (but analysis is still in the run) : the chinese units don't receive reinforcement. I am doom,because no other chinese city is able to reach the 20000 supply level that could allow this.



IIRC, the 20000 supply threshold applies to replacements and upgrades of air units. For LCUs, you get replacements from bases "that have supplies that exceed double their supply requirements"

So if your bases in China all have their supplies in red you won't get any reinforcements for your units.....



gladiatt -> Game is lost (8/7/2010 3:44:42 PM)

Mongol_Horde : thanks for info.
I am doomed: no chinese city as enough supply.



GAME IS LOST

Andaman fall in jap hands: 300 vp worth of allied troops destroyed. Stupid me didn't took time to evacuate fragments.
AVG/C, 20th squadron and 1 dutch squadron lost. Definitively (not on the reinforcement table ).
Springboard lost.
New menace of Bettys in Bengal Bay. Akyab can't be supplied. Burma soon to be lost.

No need to argue. Don't come bother me with advice that don't seem to suit my situation.


[image]local://upfiles/28894/DC86B42BC8C148E69F21D8E103346BB3.gif[/image]

Explanation:
Japan victory point: 28000;
if i don't count the base victory point, it's 24000 points.
Needed for allied to win: if you suppose he don't make anymore VP (wich is most unlikely), i need 72000 point in 1944; or 48000 in 1945.

If i sink all 9 remnants japs BB ( Fuso, Yamashiro, Mutsu, Ise, Hyuga, Hiei, Kirishima, Yamato) and 10 CV (Kaga, Zuiho, Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Hosho, Junyo, Hiyo), that's worth 3600 vp.
Let's add 150 AP/AK (and that's a wet dream), 40 DD and 40 MSW/PC/PG, it's worth another 1200 vp.
It would lead me to roughly 7200 naval VP;
i can't dream of scoring 28000 vp of air or ground assets more than the 13200 that i already have.
Dead end.



rtrapasso -> RE: Game is lost (8/7/2010 4:11:17 PM)

Non, non, non [:-]

24000 points might seem like a lot, but consider:

if he loses 2000 points in bases, you might GAIN 10000 points (depending on bases, etc.) - as you get closer to his center, the number of points you get for bases captured goes up - sometimes very dramatically. The VP for Tokyo is only maybe 30 points for the Japanese, but something like 15000 for the Allies... (not that i'd try invading Tokyo, but you get the idea.) Formosa bases have something like a 25x multiplier, Okinawa 75x, etc... you can check this on "hovering" your cursor over a Japanese base.

Also, you have failed to consider that you can soon start to get points for bombing his strategic assets... one good air raid could net you 1000 points or more.

Don't give up the ship!!



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