April 29 1943 Final Report

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

April 29 1943 Final Report

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> April 29 1943 Final Report

Page: << < prev 23 24 [25] 26 27 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

April 29 1943 Final Report - 1/21/2012 12:50:50 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

April 29, 1943 - Final Report -

When I checked my 2Es in Burma I was puzzled to see that they were all set to do Ground Attacks on Japanese Troops in Shwebo, when I was certain that I had them targeting Troops in the plains nearby. Then I realized that the Japanese Division that they had been attacking had moved into Shwebo and that the 2Es just "followed" their previous target. So I re-set the 2Es to bomb the Japanese Infantry Regiment that is still in the open hex and I set the 4Es to hammer the Japanese troops at Shwebo. My opponent is probably expecting me to send the 4Es against another Air Base again because that is what I usually do.

My Forces in Northern Oz had another quiet day as the Japanese appear to have stopped trying to interfere with my reinforcement TFs. My opponent may well regret this once I move 4Es into Corunna Downs.

The Japanese also continue to be very quiet in the South Pacific, other than sending in the occasional sub. I now have 4Es in the bigger bases in the region but I'm not starting a Bombing Campaign until I get more Troops into the Region. I want those Bases to get even Bigger.

And things continue to be quiet in the Far North. They will stay that way until I get all of my CVs filled with Hellcats, then I will try a Little Raid again. One thing that I confirmed in another one of my pbems is that Surface Combat TFs sent in to an enemy Port to engage an Enemy TF don't engage any CD guns at the base, even though they would if they sailed past the base. My opponent keeps on moving large TFs full of small ships and I am very tempted to send in a Cruiser/DD TF - Capped by CV Fighters - to tangle with one of those TFs somewhere in Far Northern Japan.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 721

AMs vs Subs - 1/21/2012 9:03:33 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

April 30, 1943 �

The Night Phase saw a couple of US AMs chase a Japanese sub just off of Suva but miss it. The AMs then attacked another Japanese sub off of Nadi, but they missed it again. Then on their way back to Port the AMs ran into the first Japanese sub again and this time hit it once.

Daylight brought out the Allied Air Forces in Burma again in a BIG way:

British DBs hit the Japanese troops at Warazup repeatedly. The Brit pilots finally seem to have found the right way to do it.

Then Allied 2Es repeated hammered a Japanese Infantry Regiment that was in the Clear outside of Shwebo. And as a bonus, some 2Es hit Japanese LCUs in Myitkyina.

Finally, the Allied 4Es came in and REALLY HAMMERED the Japanese Infantry Division at Shwebo. I�ve never seen such a result before:

Morning Air attack on 20th Division, at 59,45 (Shwebo)

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Allied aircraft
Liberator II x 10
B-17E Fortress x 14
B-17F Fortress x 16
B-24D1 Liberator x 49
P-38G Lightning x 17

Allied aircraft losses
Liberator II: 1 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D1 Liberator: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
1201 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 107 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 25 (3 destroyed, 22 disabled)

And this was followed by a small straggler attack that caused more casualties.

There were no Japanese Air Attacks again this turn.

My opponent appears to be attempting to move as many of his LCUs as he can out of the Clear and into the Woods. That Infantry Regiment that was hammered in the Clear this turn was still able to make it to the Woods. But there are still plenty of Japanese LCUs in Clear locations.

So next turn the Allied 2Es have been ordered to hit the Japanese troops in Shwebo, but the 4Es have been ordered to hit the Air Base at Lashio because an �aircraft� symbol has shown up there. I�m not sure what my opponent has decided to move forward, but I intend to �discourage� this immediately.

Below is the May 1, 1943 Intel Report. There isn�t much change since the April 1 report. I�ll post the Maps in additional posts.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 722

May 1943 - China - 1/21/2012 9:05:04 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

Here's China - my opponent has been slowly pulling back LCUs from various places along the Front.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 723

May 1943 - Indo Burma - 1/21/2012 9:06:26 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

Here's the Indo Burma Front. My opponent keeps on bringing more and more LCUs to this area.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 724

May 1943 - Norther Oz - 1/21/2012 9:07:44 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

Here's northern Australia. My opponent is leaving me alone, so my build-up is going faster and faster.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 725

May 1943 - South Pac - 1/21/2012 9:08:57 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

Here is my build-up area in the South Pacific. Other than subs, there is no Japanese interference.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 726

May 1943 - Far NE Japan - 1/21/2012 9:10:15 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

Here's the situation in the Far northeast of Japan. My opponent has done a fair amount of build-up, but he has left holes.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 727

A New Front - 1/23/2012 3:25:22 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 1, 1943 -

There was no Night Action.

Daylight brought Bad Weather throughout Burma, grounding all 2E and DB Missions.

The Weather didn't stop Recon Missions (I don't think that it ever does) and there were plenty, including repeated Japanese Recon Flights over Ichang. This is the second or third turn in a row where Ichang has received extra inspection from the Japanese. I wonder if my opponent is going to test his luck at Ichang � he has definitely pulled back troops from Sian and I assume that he will move them somewhere in China.

The Afternoon brought the 4Es out and they hit Lashio repeatedly and hard. Despite the good, unimpeded Bombing Runs, resulting in plenty of Air Base and Runway Damage, no enemy planes were caught on the Ground. However, my own Recon Flights insisted that there were a fair number of Japanese Fighters on the Ground, along with unidentified planes, so I am sending back the 4Es next turn, just to make certain that the Air Base will be good-and-closed for some time.

I have also set all of my 2Es to Recon Flights because I smell a CAP Trap being developed by my opponent.

Finally, a New Front was officially opened up this turn as 4Es from Brisbane hammered the Air Base at Noumea. There were Japanese Recon Planes in the base, but the 4Es didn't appear to catch any on the Ground. I am resting the 4Es after this first run because it is at the range-limit of the Bombers, but the 4Es will be back, with help from the East in the near future.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 728

Oscar IIs over Warazup - 1/24/2012 1:58:09 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 2, 1943 -

The Night Phase saw USS Peto take a shot at a PB some ways off of Iwaki but miss. The PB attempted to find Peto but couldn't since Peto was in deep water. The Japanese TF was a very heavily escorted Transport TF.

Daylight brought about what I expected from last turn � Japanese Fighters attemped to fly LR CAP over Warazup with 21 Oscar IIas showing up. But the British DBs were escorted by 22 Hurricane IIcs and 11 Hurricane IIds. The British Fighters fought well, keeping the more modern Japanese Fighters occupied and shooting down 3 for the lost of 2 Hurricane IIcs and 1 Hurricane IId. The DBs continued on to hit their target and they escaped cleanly from the couple of Oscar IIs that were still around after the Bombing Run.

Bad Weather then came into play and even seemed to affect some of the planned Allied Recon Flights. But most of the 4Es took off and hit the Air Base and Air Fields at Lashio again. Once again the Bombers struck hard, but they didn't find any enemy planes on the Ground.

Finally, at the end of the day USS Hake tried to sneak by the Escort Ships at Darwin but was chased off. There is a Japanese Transport TF at Darwin that contains 3 TKs as well as multiple AKs. That surprised me because I don't see why my opponent would bother risking TKs at Darwin � what would need that much fuel? I would think that he would be better off basing any Combat Ships at Timor.

The End-of-Day Report was rather encouraging:

Ki-43-IIa Oscar � 7 A-to-A
Hurricane IIc Trop � 3 A-to-A
Hurricane IId Trop � 1 A-to-A

Recon reported that there were no longer any traces of enemy planes at Lashio, so I'm guessing that the Oscar IIs flew in to Warazup from Toungoo. That's a long haul, even with Wing Tanks, so the Japanese pilots were likely fatigued, which would explain the success of the Brits with their Hurricanes. I can only wait and hope until I start to get decent British Fighters later in the year.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 729

Upgrade Pains - 1/27/2012 1:09:43 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 3, 1943 �

The Night Phase saw a lot of persistence from the Skipper of USS Hake. The US sub was chased away twice by Escorts in the Japanese AK/TK TF at Darwin, but the Skipper brought the sub back for a third time and finally put a torpedo into an xAK. And to add to the success, Hake got away a third time from the Escorts.

Daylight brought out Rain in many areas, but Recon and Search Flights flew as usual. Quiet a few Betties flew over an Allied Transport TF at Broome, but with P-40Ks flying LR CAP over the TF none of the Betties attempted attacks. While the Japanese are flying around Broome, they are not noticing all of the Allied TFs that are going in-and-out of the Allied Ports that are further to the West.

British Dive Bombers attacked Japanese Troops at Warazup again this turn. This time there was no Japanese LR CAP present. The Allied 2Es in Burma continued to fly Recon Missions, while the 4Es hammered the Air Base at Taung Gyi. There were no enemy planes at Taung Gyi, but I just wanted to keep the Air Fields closed and to keep my opponent looking over his shoulder at all times in Burma.

Then, just to keep my opponent even busier, US 4Es flew in from two directions to hammer the Air Base at Noumea again. This now fully Throws Down the Gloves in the South Pacific. What will my opponent do � let me bomb his Island Bases into the Stone Age, or will he attempt to interfere with my Build-Up?

At the End of the Day the Japanese troops at Warazup attempted an Artillery Bombardment of my besieging troops. The Bombardment had no effect, and I suspect that it was done solely to find out just what troops I have there, but it had a nice side effect for me because I got to see that the Japanese Armoured Division has now moved into Warazup. That means even move targets for my Bombers, and even more Troops for my opponent to try to Supply.

On a side note � an old irritation showed up this turn as I received a notice that the �Peasants Are Revolting� in Hyderabad and that I lost a Victory Point because I had insufficient Garrison Strength. I checked out Hyderabad and the Indian Combat Unit that I�ve had there for the past 15 or more months had suddenly transformed itself into a �Cavalry Engineering Regiment� that has some Support and Mechanized Support troops, but no Combat Troops.

That �upgrade� must have occurred upon the departure of the latest British Convoy last turn. The Unit�s T.O.E. says that it will eventually have some up-to-date tanks, but that doesn�t help me at this point. So I had to order a reserve unit from Madras to Railroad over there.

Oh well, at least this unit wasn�t in a Combat position.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 730

A Quiet Turn - 1/28/2012 2:18:06 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 4, 1943 �

There was no Night Action.

Daylight brought out plenty of Recon from both sides, but little action. The British DBs were unmolested again as they attacked the Japanese Troops at Warazup, but the Pilots still couldn�t find their target.

Then at the end-of-the-day the Japanese Troops at Warazup fired off their Artillery, but they had very little effect. Weather permitting; Allied Bombers will fly Bombing Missions over Burma again next turn.

And on the North Coast of Australia Bettys continued to scout around the Allied Transport TF at Broome, but there were no attacks. The Port at Broome ought to be fully repaired next turn which will speed up unloading of Troops and Supplies.

So all-in-all, it was a quiet turn as I continue to position my Forces for future Offensives.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 731

Clearing the Clear Zones - 1/29/2012 6:06:04 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 5, 1943 �

There was no Night Action again.

Daylight brought out lots of Japanese Recon, including Recon/Search Flights over Port Hedland for the first time in a while. There is plenty of Allied CAP there so the Transport TFs that are unloading there are quite safe.

The only Air Combat Action was in Burma where the Allied 2Es joined the British DBs in attacking the Japanese troops at Warazup. For once the 2Es found their targets and caused some damage, although nowhere near as much as they did on the Japanese troops that they caught out in the Clear.

Then the 4Es hit the Japanese Troops at Magwe, roughing up a JAAF BF very nicely. It now appears that my opponent is moving more troops out of Magwe. He seems to be setting up a Defensive Line in the Jungle and leaving most of the Clear region in Burma fairly empty of troops. That makes the idea of Paratroop Drops tempting, but the problem will be to get support in after the Drops occur. I have more Forces moving into the Region so we�ll see what sorts of opportunities arise.

It appears that my opponent only has Patrol Planes in the New Caledonia Region, so I am increasing my Long Range Bombing efforts starting next turn. I am also starting to prepare some serious Combat Forces for Action in the Region. It will be some time before everyone is in place, but once they are I should be able to make multiple moves simultaneously and cut off all of the Japanese Bases at the same time.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 732

Adventures in the South Pacific - 1/30/2012 3:27:39 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 6, 1943 �

There was no Night Action again this turn. I�ve got lots of subs out on Patrol around Japan proper and throughout the DEI, but I�m not finding Japanese Transport TFs. I wonder where they are�

Daylight brought out Allied Bombers in Burma again. The Japanese troops at Warazup were hit by DBs and 2Es once again, and once again with minor success. For some reason Warazup provides lots of cover for Japanese troops.

The 4Es then came in and hammered the Air Base at Warazup. I want to keep it damaged so that my opponent can�t rebuild the Fortifications at the Base. With the additional Japanese troops in Warazup it is taking more effort to keep the Air Base reasonably damaged.

My opponent didn�t send out any CAP to deter my Air Attacks, but Recon reported that there are now something like 190 Fighters at Toungoo, and another 120 at Rangoon, so my opponent may be planning something. In any event I ordered the 4Es to hit the Air Base at Mandalay again, just to keep things under control.

Off in the South Pacific USAAF Liberators flew out of Brisbane to hammer the Air Base at Noumea again. There is no sign that my opponent intends to defend Noumea in any serious manner at this time. And a squadron of USN PB4Y-1s hit the Port at Louganville this turn. The Navy Liberators didn�t hit any of the Japanese ships in Port, but they did cause some Port damage, and afterwards Recon reported that the Japanese ships at Louganville are now in TFs and sailing away. I�ve ordered another USN Liberator Squadron to join the attack, but next turn they will be going after the Air Base at Louganville instead of the now empty Port.

Otherwise, things are going along as planned. The Allied TF at Broome is taking its sweet time unloading Mechanized Support elements of an Engineering unit, but the P-40K CAP is keeping the Bettys away. I�ll start to expand the Port Facilities as soon as the Forts at Broome reach an acceptable level.

And Baker Island is now at a �1,1,1� level. It�s wonderfully satisfying how US Engineering Units can build up pretty much anything very quickly. That will be exceedingly useful when I start to move in the Central Pacific.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 733

A6M3as on the Prowl - 1/31/2012 5:05:24 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 7, 1943 � Initial Report �

My opponent only had time to send the Combat Replay this evening.

There was no Night Action.

Daylight brought a High Alt Sweep over Broome by A6M3as based at Wyndham. The Japanese Fighters caught 4 P-40Ks on mid-level LR CAP over the Transport Ships that are unloading at Broome. The P-40Ks were chased out of the area, with at least 1 shot down. But the LR CAP presence still kept Long Range Japanese Bombers from attacking the Allied ships in the Port.

Then another Land-Based A6M3a squadron showed up over Luganville as 16 PB4Y-1s showed up to attack the Air Base. Recon from the previous day had failed to show the Japanese Fighters. The advanced Zeros did quite well and shot down 2 Navy Liberators while damaging a few others. But the rest of the Bombers got through to hit the Air Base fairly hard.

The Action then shifted to Burma where wave after wave of Allied 2Es and DBs attacked the Japanese Troops at Warazup, but none of the Bombers could find the mark. At the same time a couple of other Allied 2E units were able to find and successfully attack a Japanese LCU in the Jungle south of Kalemyo. I can�t figure out why Warazup provides such good cover for the troops that are there. And the Allied 4Es didn�t fly this turn, likely because of Weather.

Finally, USAAF Liberators flew from Brisbane and hit the Air Base at Noumea again fairly hard. There was no Japanese CAP there.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 734

May 8 1943 Interim Report - 2/2/2012 6:19:22 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 8, 1943 � Interim Report �

My opponent was only able to run the Combat Replay again this evening, and he will be busy for several more days, so this will be it for a while.

I didn�t bother doing a Final Report for May 7 1943 because there wasn�t much notable in the actual turn, other than the fact that Essex is a week away from showing up.

In this turn there was no Night Action again.

Daylight Action once again consisted of Allied Bomber Attacks in Burma, and the usual Japanese Air Recon and Search activities all around Burma and Northern Oz.

Once again large numbers of Allied 2Es and DBs attacked the Japanese Troops at Warazup, and once again the great majority of attacks missed their target. Only the last attack, by a single small British 2E squadron, actually caused some casualties.

The Allied 4Es had no such problem at Mandalay as the two Air Attacks really hammered the Air Base and Air Fields.

And once again Japanese Long Range Bombers and Naval Search Planes buzzed the Transport Ships at Broome, but with the P-40Ks present the Japanese planes did nothing other than fly-bys.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 735

RE: May 8 1943 Final Report - 2/3/2012 5:44:38 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 8, 1943 � Final Report �

The Big News this turn is that the first 3 P-47 squadrons showed up at the Eastern US and they were full of planes. The pilot experience isn�t great in the squadrons, but there will be time to train them since they won�t get replacements until July 1943.

I�m attaching a map of the New Caledonia to New Hebrides region of the South Pacific. Recon and Intel are reporting that there aren�t any Japanese troops at Tanna and Efate. However, there are fair numbers of Japanese troops at Luganville and Noumea. So if things continue this way I�ll grab Tanna and Efate and develop them to provide bases from which to close the Japanese Bases at Noumea and Luganville.

Otherwise, it�s Business As Usual.

Attachment (1)

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 736

Another Preliminary Report - 2/5/2012 6:35:28 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 9, 1943 � Initial Report �

Once again my opponent only had time to run the Combat Replay this evening, and I will be unable to do any turns for the next few days, so this match will continue along at its usual glacial pace.

The Night Phase saw USS Trout hit a big Japanese TK with a dud off of Fukue-jima. Trout received a hit from the Japanese escort ships for its trouble.

Daylight brought Bad Weather most everywhere. The 4Es in Burma were rained out, but various Allied 2E attacks did fly in the region.

Warazup received the usual futile attention from Allied 2Es and DBs, with the exception of a squadron of Wellington GR VIIIs that actually found their target. Maybe I should switch to having the GR VIIIs be the main bomber against enemy troops in Warazup.

However at Mandalay all of the Allied 2Es that attacked the Japanese troops there hit their target. It�s too bad that my opponent isn�t leaving more of his troops in Clear Terrain.

And Japanese Recon continued to fly over the Allied bases in northern Australia and in the South Pacific, but it doesn�t appear that my opponent is planning to send in any Raids in the immediate future; so my build-ups in both regions will continue unabated.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 737

4Es in Widespread Action - 2/9/2012 2:50:55 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 10, 1943 -

My opponent was busy with Real Life/Work again this evening so he was only able to send the Combat Replay.

This was the same case last turn, and when I finally got the actual May 9 turn I spent a fair amount of time changing things around as well as upgrading a number of Air Units. I've been suspicious of my opponent's moves in Burma, so I set my 2Es to Recon so that I could get a better idea of the current disposition of Japanese forces in the Region. I left the 4Es with their previous orders to attack the Air Base at Lashio.

In Australia I gave the 4Es in northeastern Oz orders to attack PNG and gave the 4Es in Brisbane orders to attack New Caledonia. I'm avoiding Luganville at this time because of the Japanese Fighter units there � it's better to grind down the undefended enemy bases in the region before my opponent decides to move fighters into them too.

So the Turn started out with a bit of a surprise as a Japanese sub that was northeast of Auckland was spotted and attacked by a US DD in a returning TF. The DD reported 3 hits on the sub.

Daylight then brought reports of Bad Weather in Burma which even caused the cancellation of some Allied Recon flights. The British Dive Bombers did fly against the Japanese troops at Warazup despite the weather, and actually got some hits on their targets this time.

Then the 4Es hit the Air Base at Lashio. The first wave consisted of 60 B-24D1s and 12 Liberator IIs. They were faced by an unexpected bit of enemy CAP � 2 Tojos. The 4Es blasted past the Japanese fighters and hammered the Air Base hard. This was followed by a second wave consisting of 16 B-17Fs and 15 B-17Es. Once again the 4Es were faced by a couple of Tojos and once again the Big Bombers blew past the CAP and hit the Air Base hard again.

Next 12 B-24D1s and 12 B-17Es flew to Port Moresby. My Recon has been reporting Japanese Fighters in bases across the Mountains, but not in PM, however 12 Tojos, 12 A6M2 Zeros and 3 Tonys showed up to challenge the 4Es. The Bomber pilots got past the Japanese fighters and hit the Air Base nicely, however, the Japanese Fighters jumped the Bombers as they headed home, shooting down 1 of each while losing a Zero.

Then a squadron of B-17Es hit the Air Base at Milne Bay. There was no enemy CAP and the Bombers hit the base nicely.

It was then the turn of New Caledonia as three waves of 4Es hit the Air Base at Koumac. There was no CAP and the base was damaged nicely.

Finally, a second Japanese sub attempted to sneak up on the US TF that was northeast of Auckland. This time the enemy sub got off a torpedo against a DD, but it was a dud and once again the Japanese sub was attacked by US DDs. The Escorts reported that they also got three hits on this second sub.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 738

May 10 1943 - Final Comments - 2/10/2012 10:31:07 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

I received the turn from my opponent and checked things out.

The attack on Port Moresby cost the Japanese a couple of A6M2s, and one of my bomber pilots now has 4 kills. (That ought to be a team kill I guess, until WitP AE 2020 has aircrew members too...

)

I'm turning the 2Es back to bombing in Burma next turn because I've identified some potential "easier" targets to go after. I've also ordered the 4Es to rough-up the Air Base at Warazup again - my opponent apparently has plenty of Engineers there and they keep on repairing the Air Fields.

I've also ordered more British troops forward from India to Burma. I see a gap that I want to try to exploit, and even if I can't, I'll make my opponent move in and spread out more troops this way.

Meanwhile, my Convoys continue to bring more Troops and Supplies to Northern Oz. Right now I'm mainly bringing Engineers so that I can build up the bases even faster (and also rebuild them faster in case my opponent sends back the Bombardment TFs.)

And in the South Pacific there is no sign of Japanese activity other than the occasional submarine, so my Build-Up convoys continue to sail in-and-out. It all takes time, but its great to see those 4E-sized bases get built up.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 739

Scramble Over Shwebo - 2/12/2012 3:03:04 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 11, 1943 -

The Night Phase started with USS Pompano shooting at and missing a Japanese DD just south of Iwo Jima. The Japanese escorts couldn't find Pompano so the US sub got away safely. It was unfortunate that Pompano didn't get past the Escorts because the Japanese TF contained APs and AKs, along with the more common xAKs. That makes me think that the TF was transporting Troops somewhere.

Next a Japanese sub was chased away by Dutch DDs off of Perth. It's still useful to have those old Dutch subs around for backwater ASW work.

Finally, USS Snook hit an xAK with a torpedo just off of Balikpapan. The xAK was in a TF full of xAKs. SIGINT later reported that the Japanese Transport ship went down.

Daylight brought a couple of sizeable Sweeps over the skies over Broome by A6M3as that are based in Wyndham. There were no Allied Fighters on CAP because they were LR Capping another Transport TF that was going to Broome. You can't Sweep enemy planes that are on LR CAP, so my Fighters remain unbothered and my ships remain safe.

For some reason a few Chinese Bombers hit the Japanese troops at Nanning. I'm not sure why because I didn't remember setting them to do so. But even worse, I only remembered about it at this moment while I went over my notes, and I didn't remember to set down those Bombers in the actual turn before I sent it off. So if my opponent sets some CAP over Nanning I could be in trouble. (Ah, the joys of starting a turn in the morning, leaving it, and getting back to it in the evening...)

The Allied Main Event then started in Burma as British Dive Bombers flew their Daily Run against the Japanese troops at Warazup, and as happens most days, the DB pilots missed their target.

Then came the Allied 2E Attack on Shwebo, but this time the Bombers were met by 16 Tojo IIas and 6 Oscar IIas. The Allied attack consisted of 12 Beaufort Is, 12 Blenheim IVs, and 12 Blenheim VDs which were escorted by 11 Hurricane IIcs, 15 P-38Fs and 12 P-38Gs. The Japanese Fighters tangled with the Allied Escorts, losing 2 Oscars and 3 Tojos while shooting down 1 Hurricane, but they couldn't get past to the Bombers. So the Attack hit the troops at Shwebo reasonably well.

Other Allied 2Es attacked the Japanese troops at Myitkyina but couldn't find the Target.

Finally, the 4Es flew in and hammered the Air Base at Warazup. It's getting harder to keep the Air Fields there closed because the number of Japanese Troops there keeps on increasing. But I may well be able to do something about that soon enough.

There was one other Allied Air Attack as 11 B-17Es flew out of Townsville and hit the Air Base at Rossel Island. It appears that Rossel is empty.

And my opponent decided to test out his increased number of Troops at Warazup by ordering an Artillery Bombardment this turn. The Japanese have 2 Infantry Regiments, 1 Tank Division and 1 Mortar Battalion at Warazup. They faced an Allied Besieging Force of 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Armoured Brigade, 1 Armoured Regiment, and 5 Artillery Regiments (along with an AA Regiment that is there to help discourage Japanese Air Attacks.)

The Japanese Gunners were heavily outnumbered and the Counter-Fire caused 20 Japanese casualties while the Allies didn't suffer any. I've got Transport Planes dropping Supplies, so once all of my Troops are in the �Black� I will order an Artillery Bombardment of my own.

The End-of-the-Day Air Combat Report provided a very pleasant surprise � a lot more Japanese Fighters didn't make it Home from the Scramble Over Shwebo:

K-44-IIa Tojo : 6 A-to-A, 1 Ops
Ki-43-IIa Oscar : 4 A-to-A

Hurricane IIc Trop : 1 A-to-A, 1 Ops

Those Brits in the old Hurricanes are still holding up their end quite well. I can't wait until they start to get Spitfires in the Fall.

So I changed things up again for the next turn. The 2Es that attacked Shwebo are back on Recon again, while the 4Es are sitting out a day. I've ordered an unrestricted Chinese LCU to cut the Rail Road Line into Myitkyina, so that ought to stir up the Hornet's Nest very nicely. And I've got numerous other units coming into the region that will allow me to tie up even more Japanese Troops, and maybe even get something of a breakthrough.

BTW � My opponent is massing his Fighters more-and-more in Burma, Northern Oz, PNG and the Kuriles. This means that he is light on Fighters in other regions. I will have to keep on probing and see just where the most promising weaknesses are located.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 740

Moving Targets - 2/13/2012 9:44:40 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 12, 1943 �

The Night Phase saw an Australian AM chase a Japanese Sub off of the Northern Australian coast, half way between Exmouth and Port Hedland. The sub got away but it didn�t get a shot at the Freighter in the little Allied TF.

Daylight brought the usual mix of Allied Bomber Attacks in Burma.

First off were 2Es which hit the Japanese Troops in Bhamo fairly well. This was a mix of bombers from India and China.

Next 2Es and DBs attacked the Japanese Troops at Warazup, but missed their Target again. There was a surprising amount of Flak at Warazup.

Then a Chinese Bomber Squadron attacked the Japanese Troops at Nanning again. Once again the Chinese Pilots missed their Target, and fortunately, there still wasn�t any Japanese CAP. (My guess is that the Japanese Fighter Units that used to be in China are now in Southern Burma.)

It turns out that the planes in this Chinese Bomber Squadron didn�t have the Range to hit the Japanese Troops at Bhamo, so the Attack switched to Commander�s Choice. I�ve now set a closer Target that all of the Chinese Bombers will reach.

Finally, a couple of B-24 Squadrons flew over to Noumea and hammered the Air Base and Air Fields there again. The Damage at Noumea isn�t getting repaired very quickly so I�m taking my time and resting the 4Es between attacks.

SIGINT has been reporting Heavy Radio Traffic moving across the mid-Pacific for quite some time. This turn the Report came from Kwajalein. I wonder if some portion of the KB has sailed over to there? Maybe my opponent is getting tired of me flying Very Long Range Recon into the Gilberts.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 741

Active China Again - 2/14/2012 10:59:14 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 13, 1943 �

There was no Night Action this turn.

Daylight showed me that I had spoken too soon about the lack of Japanese Air Action in China as Liuchow was Swept repeatedly by Oscar IIs and Oscar Is, with some Tojos thrown in for Good Measure. Then the Japanese bombers came in and hammered the Air Base hard. I�m not sure if this was a Tit-for-Tat raid after the unplanned Chinese raids on Nanning, or if my opponent has decided to move on Liuchow again. Never-the-less, there is nothing that I can do about it so I�m just glad that so many Japanese planes are being committed to such a Back Water place.

But that wasn�t the only Japanese Air Target as Oscar IIs also Swept in over the Chinese Unrestricted Troops that are trying to move and cut the Rail Line to Myitkyina. These Japanese Fighters were also followed by Bombers, and the Chinese Troops in Burma received some hits, albeit not as much as their compatriots in Liuchow.

The Allied Air Forces then, to an extent, took to the Rain-Filled Air. The British Dive Bombers finally hit their Target in Warazup for a change, while 2Es repeatedly hit the Japanese Troops that are parked across the River to the East of Kalemyo.

The 4E Pilots and Crew stayed home and played cards, etc, while watching the Rain Fall.

The Action ended with the Allied Troops in Warazup firing off an Artillery Attack. The Allies had 3 Artillery Regiments, 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Armoured Brigade and 1 Armoured Regiment. The Japanese had 2 Infantry Regiments, 1 Mortar Regiment, and for some reason the Tank Division was split into its 3 separate Regiments. I wasn�t expecting a lot, and I was a bit worried about Counter-Battery Fire, but the Allied Troops ended up causing a handful of Japanese casualties while not taking any themselves.

There isn�t a lot of point in continuing Artillery Attacks under these conditions, so I ordered the Allied Troops at Warazup to go back on the Defense, and then I ordered more Artillery Units to start the Long Trip to Warazup, including an Anti-Armour Regiment. I�m happy to keep the Japanese Tank Division tied up at Warazup, and I can afford the time to bring up more Forces.

In other news, I got a number of Fresh LCUs and Air Units this turn. The LCUs are always welcome.

The Air Units were the usual mixed bag of cast-offs. I received a couple of B-25C Squadrons at East Coast, and surprisingly enough the Squadrons each were full-up with planes. Of course, the Pilots were fresh out of Flight School, so I�m sending the 2 Squadrons to the West Coast and putting them on Training/Search Duty for the next several months.

I also got 3 P-38G Squadrons in Charters Towers. Now that sounded very promising because I almost never get decent Air Units delivered near the Front Lines. But things were Back-to-Normal as each Squadron came with a Grand Total of 2 planes, along with more Rookie Pilots. So I swapped out the P-38Gs, filled up the Squadrons with P-39Ds, and sent them Down South for Extended Training. I�ll eventually give those 6 P-38Gs to an experienced Squadron that can use them.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 742

Lord of Ops Losses - 2/15/2012 2:50:53 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 14, 1943 -

There was no Night Action again this turn.

Daylight brought out a couple of squadrons of Helens that bombed the US Army Tank Battalion that has been sitting at the crossroads southeast of Wyndham since my failed Armoured Assault on Wyndham some time ago. Up until now my opponent didn't seem to notice the US Tanks, so I left them there just in case my opponent decided to try to play Desert Fox himself. But now that he has noticed the Unit I will move it away until I can close Wyndham with 4Es.

In clear contrast between bombing LCUs in the open Desert and in the Darkest Jungle, 45 well-experienced British Dive Bombers once again attacked the Japanese Troops at Warazup, and this time the Brit Pilots got back into their usual routine and missed the Target again.

Elsewhere in Burma 2Es hit the Japanese Troops to the East of Kalemyo again with multiple and accurate attacks, despite the similar jungle setting. And the 4Es got off the ground and hammered the Japanese Infantry Regiment that is two hexes southwest of Kalemyo. I'm going to continue to hammer that Infantry Regiment with my 4Es until the British Division that is moving in can launch an Assault.

And finally, the Chinese Air Force attempted to hit more Japanese Troops on the Chinese border, and once again missed their mark.

At the End-of-the-Day USS S-35 hit an xAKL with two torpedoes at Paramushiro-jima. The little freighter went down like a rock and S-35 got away clean. There are a couple of Japanese Transport TFs sailing in the Kuriles right now so I am attempting to swarm them with US Subs. We'll see if the other US Sub Captains in the Region are equally skilled.

The Big News this turn was the Arrival of Lots of new US Ships, including the Long Awaited USS Essex. Surprisingly, the Essex Air Units were topped-up with planes and reasonably good pilots. Essex will sail to San Diego to join up with a decent Escort Force and then sail into the Pacific to add to the US presence.

BTW � Currently I'm using my CVEs only for occasional Ferry Service. I Flew Off the planes that were on the non-replenishment CVEs to provide Air Support for my Ever-Growing Build-Up in the South Pacific. The Game Mechanics make CVEs WAY TOO vulnerable to bother sending them into Harm's Way.

BTW II � I've now upgraded two land-based Naval Fighter Squadrons to Hellcats and I now have 417 F4F-4s in the Pools. I hope that I never have to use them again.

BTW III � My opponent kidded me this turn that the God of Ops Losses is doing a much better job at taking out my Air Force than the Japanese Fighters. That is certainly true, but at least this way I'm not creating Japanese Aces...

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 743

Sub Wars Revisited - 2/16/2012 1:03:53 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 15, 1943 -

The Night Phase livened up in a Big Way this turn as there was Submarine Action all over the Map.

First off, a US DD attacked a Japanese sub just off of Suva. The DD got three hits on the sub and drove it off.

Next, a US S-Boat hit a mine at Etorofo and sank. This part of my Swarming exercise definitely didn't work.

Then USS Snook hit a PB with a Dud near Sepandjang in the DEI, just SE of Sumatra. Snook got away from the follow-up pursuit.

Next, USS Skipjack stumbled upon a heavily Escorted Transport TF in the Straights of Malacca. Skipjack couldn't get off any shots and was swarmed by the Escorts, suffering serious damage. Skipjack is now limping towards Colombo, and it better not run into any more Japanese Attacks.

Finally, USS S-33 was chased unsuccessfully by ASW Escorts at Paramushiro-jima.

Daylight once again belonged solely to the Allies.

First off the Chinese Air Force again attacked the Japanese troops on the Lashio Road, but this time the Bombers actually found their target and got some hits in.

This Bit of Luck was followed by another as the British Dive Bombers found their target too and hit one of the Japanese Armoured Regiments at Warazup.

Next, most of the Allied 2Es in the Theater repeatedly hammered the Japanese Infantry Division that is sitting just east of Kalemyo. One 2E Squadron also went off and hit some of the Japanese Troops at Bhamo.

Finally, the 4Es flew again and hammered the Japanese Infantry Regiment south of Kalemyo even harder. I was encouraged enough by this that I left the 4Es with Orders to just keep on going after than same unit until it vaporizes, gets driven out by the oncoming British Troops, or until some other Japanese Troops make the mistake of coming out in the Open.

And in the South Pacific 4Es hammered the Air Base at Koumac again. I fully intend to have to have the Air Bases at Koumac and Noumea totally closed before I move Troops into New Caledonia.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 744

Weather and other Woes - 2/17/2012 2:47:10 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 16, 1943 -

The Night Phase saw another US Submarine, this time USS Growler, hit an enemy mine at Etoforo. Growler was badly damaged but ought to be able to limp back to safety. The rest of the US subs that are swarming Etoforo, Onnekotan-jima and Paramushiro-jima continue to be unable to spot any targets despite Recon and Search Flights spotting plenty of Japanese TFs.

Further to the West, a 5-SC Japanese TF chased USS Amberjack but couldn't hit the sub.

Finally, an Allied AVD attacked a Japanese sub along the northwestern coast of Australia between Exmouth and Port Hedland. One hit was reported on the sub.

Daylight brought Japanese Bombers out after the USMC Tank unit that is on the road south of Wyndham. I currently don't have any Air Fields within support range of the Leatherneck Tanks, so they will just have to tough it out and move out of range.

Japanese Bombers also attacked the non-restricted Chinese LCU that is attempting to cut the rail line between Mandalay and Myitkyina. The Japanese Bombers hit their target as usual. Given the Lousy Weather in Burma, that put me in a poor mood.

Sure enough, the Allied Air Attacks were scattered and mostly ineffective in the same region. The DBs missed their target at Warazup, the 2Es hit their targets lightly, and only 11 Liberator IIs flew to hit their target.

I've got to believe that Pilot Experience is the deciding factor in whether or not an Air Unit flies during Bad Weather, and also whether or not an Air Unit that does fly actually hits its target. The Allied Air Units in Burma have been flying missions for over a year, but their overall experience levels are still not much above average. I've seen in my Japanese pbems that the High Experience Japanese Air Units just fly more often, and with better results, regardless of the weather.

My questions are � why don't Air Units that fly hundreds of missions a year improve in their Experience more than they do, and why does Experience play such a significant role in overcoming Bad Weather? One would think that Bad Weather would wash out all flights, not just the flights of the pilots with less experience.

The Chinese Bombers also flew against a Japanese Tank Regiment on the Lashio Road but they missed their target as usual. They have no hope of hitting unless the Weather is perfect.

Elsewhere, 22 PB4Y-1s flew in much better Weather in the South Pacific and hammered the Air Base at Noumea again.

So all-in-all it was a rather frustrating turn. But on the positive side � my opponent still isn't interfering with my build-ups in the South Pacific and Northern Oz.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 745

Using the wrong ammo - 2/17/2012 9:32:45 PM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 17, 1943 �

The Night Phase saw USS Gar wipe out a Japanese SC at Paramushiro-jima with a single torpedo. Gar slipped away in the dark, leaving the rest of the Transport TF unmolested.

Daylight brought Japanese Fighters and Bombers out again. Japanese Bombers hit the USMC Tank unit south of Wyndham without any interference. That Tank Unit has a Hard Journey ahead of it if the Weather doesn�t cooperate.

Then Tojos swept over the British Troops that are marching through the jungle southeast of Kalemyo. Some Hurricanes flew over from Kalemyo and one was shot down by the Japanese Fighters.

Next came 45 Helens escorted by 26 Nicks. A handful of Hurricanes showed up and attempted to intercept the Bombers but the Hurricanes couldn�t get past the Nicks and another British plane was shot down. The Japanese bombers attacked a British Artillery unit in the stack.

Later in the day another 18 Tojos swept over the Allied troops and were met by another handful of Hurricanes. Once again a Hurricane was shot down. The Hurricanes have reached the end of their useful life and I will need to replace them as soon as possible.

Allied Air Attacks then took the stage:

Chinese Bombers attacked the Japanese Tank Regiment on the Lashio Road but couldn�t find the target.

British Dive Bombers attacked the Japanese Troops at Warazup and scored a few hits for a change.

The Japanese 9th Division just east of Kalemyo was hit repeatedly by Allied 2Es, with moderate success.

The Japanese Infantry Regiment 2 hexes southwest of Kalemyo was hammered by 4Es and 2Es.

So the Allied Air Attacks in Burma did better than the last turn, but in reality they still didn�t cause a lot of damage.

In the meanwhile, off in the South Pacific USN PB4Y-1s hammered the Air Base at Noumea again.

At the End-of-the-Day, USS Gar sneaked back in among ships in the Japanese Transport TF at Paramushiro-jima and hit an xAKL with a dud. This time the Escorts in the Japanese TF got 5 hits on the Gar and the US sub will be limping home now. (The sub captain should have saved the good torpedo for the freighter�)

The End-of-Day Air Combat results showed that the British lost 4 Hurricanes in Air-to-Air battles in Burma, but only 2 pilots. The Japanese lost 2 Nicks and 2 Helens to Ops losses.

I expect my opponent to try to slow down the advancing British Forces southwest of Kalemyo again next turn, so I have ordered P-38s and Corsairs on LR CAP over the British Troops. This time any Japanese Fighter Escort will have something more serious to deal with.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 746

More Whack-a-Mole in Burma - 2/19/2012 12:44:40 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 18, 1943 -

There was no Night Action, despite US subs camping out in Japanese Ports where Enemy TFs keep on showing up daily in Search and Recon Reports.

Daylight brought the Japanese Army Air Force out again to hit the USMC Tank unit in Northern Oz. Oh well, at least those Helens aren't bombing somewhere else.

Allied Bombers flew all over Burma again this turn:

Chinese Bombers finally hit the Japanese troops on the Lashio Road.

The Air Base at Warazup was hit by 2Es and DBs. So the same planes that can't hit any Troops in that Base can hit the Air Base without any difficulty.

Japanese Infantry Divisions east of Kalemyo and southwest of Kalemyo were hit by 2Es.

A Japanese Tank Regiment on the Road just to the West of Myitkyina was hit by Allied 2Es.

The Japanese Infantry Regiment 2 hexes southwest of Kalemyo was hammered by 4Es again.

So all-in-all, the Allied Bomber Forces did better in Burma this turn, but no matter how many Japanese LCUs they hit, more pop up. This game of Whack-a-Mole is getting rather frustrating.

Way off in Australia US 4Es hammered the Air Base at Milne Bay. My opponent doesn't have any CAP out there so it was a good practice run for my Bomber Crews.

US 4Es also hammered the Air Bases at Koumac and Noumea in New Caledonia. If my opponent hasn't figured out by now that New Caledonia is a serious Allied Target, I don't know what else I can do other than to land some Troops.

And in one of those Wonderful Characteristics of this Game, a new British Catalina unit that just showed up at Calcutta decided to try to fly a Naval Attack on some sort of Japanese Picket Ship at Rangoon. Despite being at 100 feet altitude the Cats were easily Jumped by several dozen mixed Japanese fighters, and three Cats were shot down without any getting a look at their Target. Sure enough, I hadn't checked that new Air Unit carefully enough to notice that it was set to a default Naval Attack. Fortunately, I have other British Cats in Reserve.

And at the End-of-the-Day, USS Gato was checked out by some SCs at Etoforu but got away.

So next turn I will continue to attempt to use Air Power to contain the ever-growing number of Japanese LCUs in Burma. I need more Mallets, and Bigger Ones at that.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 747

Snail's War - 2/20/2012 1:46:49 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 19, 1943 -

The Night Phase saw the AM Escorts in a small Allied TF spot and attack a Japanese sub off the North Coast of Australia between Port Hedland and Exmouth. The attackers reported getting 2 hits on the Japanese sub and driving it off.

Daylight brought a near-replay of the Air Attacks of the previous day with Japanese Helens hitting the USMC Tank unit south of Wyndham and the Allied Air Forces in the Indo-Burma region hitting multiple Japanese base and troop concentrations.

There haven't been any Japanese attempts to interdict the Allied Air Raids in Burma for quite some time, however, that might change soon. I've increased LR Recon over Southern Burma and more Japanese Fighters are being reported � nearly 200 in Toungou and 100 in Rangoon. Given those numbers I'm definitely not sending my 4Es out to challenge them.

Instead I'm increasing the Snail's War in Northern Burma as more Allied Troops slog their way through various Jungle hexes in an attempt to break through the Japanese Defensive line. The British Infantry Division southwest of Kalemyo is the closest to engaging the Enemy. That ought to happen in 1 or 2 more days.

The South Pacific was quiet this turn because my Recon Planes last turn spotted a Japanese TF at Koumac, therefore I set my Long Range Naval Bombers to Naval Attack. But the Sighting disappeared this turn and my Bombers went nowhere. Now I've reset the Bombers to hit the Air Bases at Koumac and Noumea again next turn.

Finally, at the end-of-the-day USS Gato was chased and hit a few times by a Japanese SC ASW TF at Etoforu. Gato got away but it needs to go for repairs now. All-in-all, my Sub Swarming exercise in the Kuriles gave quite disappointing results.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 748

Sitting Ducks - 2/22/2012 3:13:46 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 20, 1943 -

There was no Night Action again.

Daylight brought out the Japanese Army Air Force in a Big Way in Northern Oz and in China.

First off, the USMC Tank unit south of Wyndham was hammered again by Helens. The Wonderful Supply Movement Rules keep me from being able to keep enough supply in my Central Australian Air Bases to be able to fly LR CAP over the USMC unit, so the Japanese Bombers get a Free Pass.

Then Japanese Bombers hit Chinese Troops and Air Bases in Liuchow, Sian and Hengyang. Again, the Supply Movement Rules gave yet another Free Pass to the Japanese.

Finally the Allied Air Forces in Burma got into action. The DBs were able to easily hit the Air Base at Warazup again, and various Allied 2E units hit Japanese troops near Kalemyo and on the Lashio Road just outside of Myitkyina.

There was a surprise, however, as the Allied 4Es flew in to hit the Japanese Infantry Regiment that is 2 hexes southwest of Kalemyo � a half dozen Tojos showed up on LR CAP to try to intercept the Big Bombers. That would have been fine, except that 10 High Experience Hurricanes came along with the first wave of 4Es.

These were the same Hurricane Pilots that stopped multiple Japanese Air Attacks along the Indo-Burma Border, but as soon as they went into Escort Mode, they became Sitting Ducks, thanks to the Wonderful Air Combat Model.

So I lost several Hurricanes for nothing as the 4Es got through anyway to hammer the Japanese troops, as did two more waves of 4Es which, fortunately, weren't accompanied by Escorts.

And yes, for the next turn I made certain that the Hurricanes have their range shortened so that they can't provide Escort.

Elsewhere, Liberators hammered the Air Bases at Noumea and Koumac again.

So, frustrations with the current state of Air Combat aside, my plans continue to move along, albeit at a very slow march, in Burma, Northern Oz, and the South Pacific.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 749

Oscar IIs in Distant Places - 2/23/2012 11:13:16 AM

ADB123

Posts: 1559
Joined: 8/18/2009
Status: offline

May 21, 1943 -

There was no Night Action again, which is rather good for me because it means that my opponent isn't attempting to interfere with my build-up in northern Oz, nor in the South Pacific.

Daylight started out with reports of Bad Weather most everywhere. This appeared to have slowed down the Japanese Bombing Attacks a bit as there was only one Raid hit Liuchow and one on the USMC Tank unit south of Wyndham.

Allied Bombing started out with another Navy Liberator Raid on the Air Base at Noumea. That Air Base is now pretty much closed up tight, so I'm resting my 4Es in that region for a bit prior to my next Air Offensive.

In Burma weather scrambled the Allied Air Attacks, but since most are at relatively Short Range it didn't cancel many. Dive Bombers hit the Air Base at Warazup, 2Es hit various Japanese Troop concentrations outside the Bases, and the 4Es hit the Japanese Infantry Regiment 2 hexes S/W or Kalemyo again.

What was a bit of a Surprise was that 6 Oscar IIs showed up on LR CAP over the Japanese units that are on the Mandalay Road just to the West of Myitkyina. There were 18 Ace Hurricanes on Escort for the 2Es that flew in for Attack, and I guess because the Hurricanes outnumbered the Oscar IIs 3-to-1 only one Hurricane was lost. The Experienced 2Es got through to hit their target.

Next turn will be a Big One as the British Infantry Division will try to drive the Japanese Infantry Regiment out of its hex with a Shock Attack. I have the 4Es set to provide an initial Air Attack, and I have all of my P-38s and Corsairs set to LR CAP in expectation that my opponent will attempt an All-Out Air Raid to try to disrupt my Troops. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

(in reply to ADB123)

Post #: 750