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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports >> RE: May Flowers

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RE: May Flowers - 10/18/2011 11:58:37 PM

DOCUP

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Nice plan. Bold early offensive strike for the Allies. Hero or Zero from this. Watching and waiting in the stands.

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 241

RE: May Flowers - 10/19/2011 1:00:10 AM

Crackaces

Posts: 3858
Joined: 7/9/2011
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************************************************ 08 MAY 1942 *************************************************

I screwed up . but it is turning out ok ..

First:

Ground combat at Ocean Island (130,130)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 664 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34

Defending force 252 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 8

Allied adjusted assault: 20

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 20 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ocean Island !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), fatigue(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
282 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Bn /5

Defending units:
7th Indpt SNLF Coy

Then Tarawa we strike hard and reduce the defenses ...Rah Roh ...!!!! they go after the constrcution unit and not the Naval guard unit ..

Afternoon Air attack on 7th Naval Construction Battalion, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 20
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 34
SBD-3 Dauntless x 78
TBD-1 Devastator x 42

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Now teh big screw-up ... I set the CVTF-1 to follow by 2 hexes .. well that slowed the BB TF up ...and the engineers hit first ..

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1217 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Defending force 1011 troops, 3 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 42

Assaulting units:
53rd Naval Guard Unit
7th Naval Construction Battalion

Defending units:
102nd Combat Engr Rgt /1

HOLY COW BATMAT!

Ok well 370 AV hit at dawn and should take this place. I suspect a huge air battle tomorrow over Tarawa while I am lanidng .. I was hoping to have everything ashore before this happened ..

In oher news in the Gilberts:

Sub attack near Nauru Island at 125,124

Japanese Ships
xAK Kotobuki Maru #5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Daihachikyo Maru
xAKL Tenposan Maru
xAKL Toyotsu Maru
PB Sento Maru

Allied Ships
SS KXVIII

BURMA:

Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 14

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 1 destroyed

Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 2

No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

2 Oscars, 2 Zeros, and 1 Hurricane ..

PO Kirkpatrick M. of No.605 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 4

FO Thompson E. of No.605 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 4

PO Crandall L. of No.605 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 2

And for Cribtop or Crusutton .. here is the second deadly landing accident while training ..

Pilot killed in landing accident of F4F-3 Wildcat from VMF-221

Ok More tommorrow ..

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 242

Tarawa D-Day +1 - 10/19/2011 3:04:42 AM

Crackaces

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Well as above I started one day too soon. But we are ashore with engineers. The diagram below ilistrates where we are at. The main forces 80 miles off shore and ready to hit in the morning. They will drop 120 AV first round and another 120 AV for the shock attack.

That IJN SS off Tabatuea is distrubing. But everybody withdraws toward Baker Island. Refuel - Rearm and wait for the KB.

One thing that is very disturbing .. the two CL's are frozen in place and have not moved toward bombardment. I wonder what that is about?

Ok .. first things first establish fighters on Tarawa .. then PA's on Ocean Island.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/19/2011 3:39:05 AM >

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 243

RE: May Flowers - 10/19/2011 3:36:50 AM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Nice plan.� Bold early offensive strike for the Allies.� Hero or Zero from this.� Watching and waiting in the stands.

Just to say Docup everything thus far fits the strategic plan. That is secure the Gilberts in 1942 to move on the Marshals in 1943. End goal is Formosa and cut off the IJ from the DEI. (See the begining of this thread ..)

The IJ know how difficult it is to supply a Northen Oz campaign. I really do not care if he takes a couple of Kangaroos although a level 7 airfield at Darwin is a pain in the rear. But Darwin cost the IJ 7,000 troops out of 27,000 committed, and 8 xAK's plus 4 DD's and a CL. That should slow the IJA up for now. There is still the KB, but I am willing to trade say 4 old carriers for 6 IJN CV's ... the Hornet is 3 days sailing away and soon we will have 5 CV's in the area.

I have patrols in Alaska and some forces. He could push things there but he has to feel the pressure. A look at the map shows Ndeni and Luganville as solid bomber bases with fighters. Tabituea level 5 base.

Next once Tarawa is secure next step is to project power into the Solomons. His KB being still alive, and well unlike real life is going to make this a lot harder ..

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 244

RE: May Flowers - 10/19/2011 5:35:05 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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*********************************************** 09 MAY 1942 *********************************************

Allied forces CAPTURE Tarawa !!!

It was a huge overkill .. but we took Tarawa with mimimal casualties and got a goood idea for lessons learned in Amphib attacks.

The sequince of events below .. I will use different colors to off set the phases:

Pre-Invasion action off Tarawa (136,128)

8 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
BB Mississippi
BB New Mexico
BB Idaho
BB Tennessee
BB Pennsylvania
BB Colorado
BB Maryland
DD Fox
DD Edsall
DD Walke
AP Crescent City
DD O'Brien
DD Ward

Japanese ground losses:
342 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 22 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Fuller
DD Mustin
DD Brooks

Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

---------------------------------------------

Invasion Support action off Tarawa (136,128)

4 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
AP Crescent City
DD O'Brien
DD Ward

...............

Afternoon Air attack on 53rd Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD-3 Dauntless x 85
TBD-1 Devastator x 14

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Afternoon Air attack on 53rd Naval Guard Unit, at 136,128 (Tarawa)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-2 Dauntless x 34
SBD-3 Dauntless x 27

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
35 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

The Invasion:

Amphibious Assault at Tarawa (136,128)

TF 398 troops unloading over beach at Tarawa, 136,128

Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

155mm M1 Howitzer lost from landing craft during unload of 24th Infantry Div
Scout Car lost overboard during unload of 24th Infantry Div
Scout Car lost in surf during unload of 24th Infantry Div
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 24th Infantry Div /5
13 troops of a USA Rifle Squad accidentally lost during unload of 24th Infantry Div /9

Then ..Combat

Ground combat at Tarawa (136,128)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 10809 troops, 205 guns, 286 vehicles, Assault Value = 423

Defending force 1139 troops, 15 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 6

Allied adjusted assault: 146

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 146 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tarawa !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1309 casualties reported
Squads: 54 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 132 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 46 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (19 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 casualties!

Now we have a situation .. Two IJN submarines have moved into the area. My DD's blocking the strait have done little to prevent the IJN from penatrating into our battlespace. So we have to egress out the CVTF's, along with put up and ASW screen the best we can. It looks like one more full day to get the AP's and AK's out.

In other news .. A Ki-46-II Dinah was sighted over Chittagong and promptly shot down by CAP.

I did not know that a PBY was such a difficult aircraft to fly

PBY-5A Catalina from VP-14 is damaged on landing

PBY-4 Catalina from VP-71 is damaged on landing

PBY-4 Catalina from VP-71 crashes on landing

PBY-4 Catalina from VP-71 is damaged on landing

VP-71 will have to be set down and have a training holiday ...

On the other fronts .. The IJ have moved another 400 AV into Darwin. Let us see how this unfolds. I plan not to enage anywhere south of Alice Springs and in the meantime build up bases and LOC thorugh New Caladona, Ndeni, Suva, Tarawa/Tabetuea, Midway, Addu/Dutch Harbor. That will be the focus for the next 3 or so months.

More Later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 245

RE: May Flowers - 10/19/2011 11:50:27 PM

Crackaces

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The picture below shows the proceedings for 10 May 1942. That LYB submarine is detected but my ASW has yet to react or drop a single damn DC. If it gets any closer I will have to pull the CVTF's. This is a critical turn. I have created yet another ASW TF to attempt to screen this LYB from getting to my CV's. It has also caused yet another day's delay of the BF as I am routing arounds its possible movements.

Lot's of stuff loaded today and moving into theater along with what was planned for this operation. Nemo would be disappointed as I did not have 2nd level echelons ready to follow up this victory. Even a second marine radier force hitting something would have kept offense initiative.

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(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 246

RE: May Flowers - 10/20/2011 4:24:58 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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************************************************** 11 MAY 1942 ***********************************
CENPAC: The CVTF's are moving out. we can transfer in airpower next turn and that will provide support to protect Tarawa. We have 100 fighters in the area to be stationed on 3 airbases. More as this either goes quiet or becomes a major front.

Burma: We transfered 3 squadrons to provide LRCAP 3 hexes over Lashio. This will be a surprise to the IJAAF and 15-20 fighters, depending on who decides to fly .. will enage 45 unescorted bombers

OZ: I want to visually update what is happening around Darwin. The IJA have made a serious committment to the Land of Oz. The landings first saw 25K troops and which 1/2 landed. Another 25K or 2 Divisions have landed and are pushing south.

Right now the Bgd's of the 6th AUS Division are RR to Alice Springs where they will reform. An USAAF BF is also in route with engineers. We will build Alice Springs up and base Long Range Bombers. I will be the first to blink and change my strategic plan a bit. Troops moving in the open desert between Darwin and Alice Springs is too lucrative of a targert to pass up. I already have US armor on the way and 2 US divisions RR to Alice Springs. By the end of May we will have fielded a Corps. That should be enough to halt the IJA while we enage in ground attacks from the air. I do not think there is a better battle space to have US armor than around Alice Springs where USAAF can bomb and the IJA is far from supply. The hording has already began at Alice Springs.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/20/2011 4:27:02 PM >

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 247

RE: May Flowers - 10/20/2011 4:55:43 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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***************************************************** 11 MAY 1942 ************************************

Quiet turn.. The submarine hanging out on the port enterance of Colombo gets 1 hit . nothing major ..

ASW attack near Colombo at 27,48

Japanese Ships
SS I-124, hits 1

Allied Ships
KV Fritillary

We cannot seem to execute an ASW attack on the submarine over Brisbane ..

Sub attack near Brisbane at 97,160

Japanese Ships
SS I-9

Allied Ships
DD Vampire
DD Voyager

SS I-9 launches 2 torpedoes at DD Vampire

At least he expends 2 torps ...

In Burma the ground war shows signs that the IJA is getting fatigued:

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9136 troops, 132 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 321

Defending force 7216 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 328

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 124

Allied adjusted defense: 259

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), leaders(-), preparation(-)
fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
348 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
304 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
1st Tank Regiment
55th Division

Defending units:
1st Burma Brigade
200th Chinese Division
36th Chinese Division

On another note .. no LRCAP over Lashio and no less than 57 Lily's show up ..

Morning Air attack on 200th Chinese Division, at 62,46 (Lashio)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 37

No Japanese losses

orning Air attack on 200th Chinese Division, at 62,46 (Lashio)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 20

No Japanese losses

This turn we continue the above plan and organize the CVTF fleets. .... Yesterday the Marianas was hot with radio transmissions .. this turn is Truk .. I suspect the KB is coming .. probably to Raid ..They will find 100 LBA's -- fighters .. I suspect they probably shoot down and destroy there fair share but we keep the IJ reacting .. Just one more year (6 months RL at our pace) until we have parody....

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 248

RE: May Flowers - 10/20/2011 9:00:38 PM

Crackaces

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CENPAC: The diagram below shows D-DAY +3 we are now completly unloaded and Amphib forces are heading home. No ships lost yet ..

. The 2 main CVTF's are moving to locations south southeast of Baker Island to refuel and rearm at Baker Island. The Hornet will be in theater at that moment. That is 5 CV's to respond to the KB/counter invasion / new invasion of Tabituea. We shall see what unfolds. "Heavy radio traffic" again at Truk.

This turn we loaded up forces we plan to engage the Solomon's / Northern Oz with. I have not decided yet how to allocate forces between fronts but I will stage a portion and see how it develops. I am not going to invade anything soon so I have not started prep. Maybe next week. But I still think armor would be much more effective killing LYB's in the deserts of Oz than in The Jungles of New Guinea.

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(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 249

RE: May Flowers - 10/20/2011 11:03:49 PM

Crackaces

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******************************************************** 12 MAY 1942 *****************************************

The day beings with a night bombing raid by 24 Nells. This must be a new unit committed to the Burma front:

Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 24

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Mohawk IV x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 damaged

Runway hits 1

One down, 23 more to go ...

Daylight comes and we smack a the 3rd Mortar Battalion:

Morning Air attack on 3rd Mortar Battalion, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 3
Blenheim IV x 29
Hudson IIIa x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 2
Wellington Ic x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 53 (4 destroyed, 49 disabled)

Morning Air attack on 3rd Mortar Battalion, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 18

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
26 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Just to keep the DEI updated:

Ground combat at 48,98 (near Batavia)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7215 troops, 52 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 251

Defending force 2986 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 5

Japanese adjusted assault: 83

Allied adjusted defense: 3

Japanese assault odds: 27 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
40 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

CENPAC:

ASW attack near Beru at 138,133

Japanese Ships
SS I-19

Allied Ships
DD Cummings
DD Flusser

The Cummings expended her ammo but got no hits ..

Japan:

A little gaze through this thread and the Grenadier has been very active ut no live torps yet .. but this Captian can hit something ..

Sub attack near Fukue-jima at 99,59

Japanese Ships
APD Yunagi
xAK Yamayuri Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

SS Grenadier launches 2 torpedoes at APD Yunagi

Ok that was the Combat Report. My focus has been to start positioning forces strategically and start thinking about more focused aggression. The IJ move in Oz has forced me to think about the Mosquito ridden Solomon's as an early '43 area of pressure. I have not thought of as yet exactly how many divisions to committ. But, I do not want to waste PP;s moving commands so at first I will just pre-postion as assigned and then begin using PP's to move restrcited units into commands. I have enough forces to move into threater without having to add more to the mix right now.

Positioning the I AUS Corps and an USA Corps in Alice Springs is one big logistics feat in itself ...

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 250

RE: May Flowers - 10/21/2011 6:52:39 AM

DOCUP

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Joined: 7/7/2010
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Congrats on the op.� Impressive keep it up.

I think I read some of your stuff on another forum, can't remember what it was you were talking about AE.

< Message edited by DOCUP -- 10/21/2011 6:54:34 AM >

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 251

RE: May Flowers - 10/21/2011 1:51:03 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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quote:

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Congrats on the op.� Impressive keep it up.

I think I read some of your stuff on another forum, can't remember what it was you were talking about AE.

Thank You DOCUP!

I am reading your thread also.

I am not sure what I was talking about either

I think in scenarario #1 the IJ cannot be everywhere. So using WitPTracker and with some knowledge of the total forces -- you can deduce how much stuff the IJ has comitted into a theater and how much stuff he has in reserve. CanoeRebel decribed this strategy in your thread. Really getting to brass tacks and counting every bean would take more time than I have, but geting a feel for at leat how much is not engaged. RECON gives you the operational feel for the theater and battlespace.

My Tarawa move was simply taking some intitive to poke the big bowl of jello and cause some shaking throughout his battlespace. Operationally, 15 hexes (Normal PBY 4 range) North Northwest of Tarawa is well into the Marshalls. This allows a lot more space where I know the KB is not .. or if it shows up .. where it is .. It will be awhile before I can move further North because of crappiness of my airframes right now and his Nell's / Zero's to the North.

Straegically, I sense that the Darwin adventure is the last real operation for the IJ committing his forces. He has forces comitted going for PM already. The IJ is also pretty committed in Burma after I moved two Chineese units into Lashio early he reacted by moving an additional 1600 AV. Thus I suspect that the Gilberts will be a KB/LBA response with also reinforcing MIlli, building bases up etc. I cannot see an instant counter-invasion he has not prepared for .. BTW) The IJ lose the magical Amphib bonus this month. This will slow the IJ operations down tremendously.

As far as operations over Tarawa. The LBA can stick around but the KB, if they show, has to go home sometime. Then it is back to my dirty work of cleaning up, reinforcing, and having an air battle. The difference here is that I can interdict supply where over the Solomons this is mich harder to do.

OK that is my flawed logic as a newbie .. thanks for dropping in DOCUP and at least breaking up my soliloquy

Always better to have a conversation in a thread.

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 252

RE: May Flowers - 10/21/2011 6:01:34 PM

Crackaces

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********************************************************* 13 MAY 1942 ***************************************

BURMA:

The night brings another air attack on Chittagong:

Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 34 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Mohawk IV x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 3 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

The day in Burma opens with a fighter sweep:

Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 6

Allied aircraft
Martlet II x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed

.........................

Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 5

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

No Allied losses

......................

Morning Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 29,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

So this day we exchange:

Martlet II: 2 destroyed

Ki-48-Ib Lily: 4 destroyed
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 3 destroyed

Probably sending in the Martlet squadron was a bad idea but every Zero counts. This is clearly not any representation of whats to come when hundreds of aircraft will do battle over the skies of the Solomons and Oz. But every victory helps. The IJ has not to date committed a lot of fighters mainly bombers. By the October/ November timeframe I will have the resources in theater to start striking his airfields from afar.

JAPAN:

I am using Dutch Submarines to interdict the LOC from Japan to its source of supply. Today we get a TK.

Submarine attack near Amami Oshima at 100,64

Japanese Ships
TK Kuroshio Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS O19

TK Kuroshio Maru is sighted by SS O19
SS O19 launches 4 torpedoes

Crtical hit messages," fuel cargo burning" etc .. she will slip below the waves.

CENPAC:

The Greyback lauches a dud ..

Sub attack near Eniwetok at 127,109

Japanese Ships
AMC Awata Maru
APD Sawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Grayback

SS Grayback launches 4 torpedoes at AMC Awata Maru

So in all a very good turn. The IJAAF is begning the assult on Katherine. I suspect he will extend his battlespace to Daily Waters. My Coast Watchers tell me that 4 more xAK's brought stuff into Darwin.

I am thinking that the Oz deserts will be the end of the begning regarding the IJ empire

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 253

RE: May Flowers - 10/21/2011 7:01:37 PM

Crackaces

Posts: 3858
Joined: 7/9/2011
Status: offline

DEEP BATTLE

I thought I might add something as an example of what deep battle is not. In the Gilberts I have chosen a strategy of island hoping where 2nd line reserves are brought into theater in support. Establish local superiority [for now

] and then advance again. This is would be the perfect antithesis to the thought of Deep battle. In a deep battle scenrario the 2nd line reserves would have smacked Maklin and on to Milli until resistance was encoutered. Then and only then would consolidation and the next attack phase entered.

I think it was well within our resources to do so. It just is not my style nor a good risk with the KB now alerted to our foray. I think the least risk for the Allies in a bold stroke at this point is to pick an objective, seize it, and consolidate.

As it is, we are moving substaintal forces into MacArthur's command. The Solomons will have to be in our plans like it or not.

The Opportunity for deep battle might come in the land of Oz... we shall see ..

In 3 weeks we will have a level 6 field at Ndeni and level 5 at Tabeteua. The Heavy Bombers will start raining hell on earth into the Solomons, Gilberts, and Southern Marshall Islands..

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/21/2011 7:21:29 PM >

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 254

RE: May Flowers - 10/21/2011 10:12:42 PM

DOCUP

Posts: 3073
Joined: 7/7/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

ORIGINAL: DOCUP

Congrats on the op.� Impressive keep it up.

I think I read some of your stuff on another forum, can't remember what it was you were talking about AE.

Thank You DOCUP!

I am reading your thread also.

I am not sure what I was talking about either

I think in scenarario #1 the IJ cannot be everywhere. So using WitPTracker and with some knowledge of the total forces -- you can deduce how much stuff the IJ has comitted into a theater and how much stuff he has in reserve. CanoeRebel decribed this strategy in your thread. Really getting to brass tacks and counting every bean would take more time than I have, but geting a feel for at leat how much is not engaged. RECON gives you the operational feel for the theater and battlespace.

My Tarawa move was simply taking some intitive to poke the big bowl of jello and cause some shaking throughout his battlespace. Operationally, 15 hexes (Normal PBY 4 range) North Northwest of Tarawa is well into the Marshalls. This allows a lot more space where I know the KB is not .. or if it shows up .. where it is .. It will be awhile before I can move further North because of crappiness of my airframes right now and his Nell's / Zero's to the North.

Straegically, I sense that the Darwin adventure is the last real operation for the IJ committing his forces. He has forces comitted going for PM already. The IJ is also pretty committed in Burma after I moved two Chineese units into Lashio early he reacted by moving an additional 1600 AV. Thus I suspect that the Gilberts will be a KB/LBA response with also reinforcing MIlli, building bases up etc. I cannot see an instant counter-invasion he has not prepared for .. BTW) The IJ lose the magical Amphib bonus this month. This will slow the IJ operations down tremendously.

As far as operations over Tarawa. The LBA can stick around but the KB, if they show, has to go home sometime. Then it is back to my dirty work of cleaning up, reinforcing, and having an air battle. The difference here is that I can interdict supply where over the Solomons this is mich harder to do.

OK that is my flawed logic as a newbie .. thanks for dropping in DOCUP and at least breaking up my soliloquy Always better to have a conversation in a thread.

I drop in just about everyday to see whats going on. Your doing good and I have nothing to add so I just lurk until I can post something. "Your logic is sound". HeHeHe. I know what you mean about having someone drop by and break up the lonelyness of an AAR and starting a conversation.

So in the posts I saw your avatar looked as if it was a real person and picture. It had a man wearing a lab coat looking like a DR. Would that be you? Also who is your opponent again.

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 255

RE: May Flowers - 10/22/2011 4:23:53 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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I suspect the KB is 3 days away from theater. For two days in a row I have heavy transmissions in the Mariania's. First at Saipan now exactly 16 hexes North Northwest of Saipan. He is going to make a move in the Pacific. There also has been lots of RECON over Tabetituea. So I suspect either a Raid or an invasion of some kind.

I invite an invasion. It will take 400 AV or better to take this island .. and in 6 days it will take 2400 AV. Plus these forces cannot be supplied over time. So the most prudent decision is some kind of raid.

Now I have 5 CV's I have to make a decision. To risk SCLS and a die roll. 6 IJN CV's vs. 5 USN CV's in 3 CVTF's. An even trade leaving 1 IJN CV wold be perfect but its a die roll that I have no clue for the risks involved. Is it a coin flip? Does he have a 3-1 advantage because of superior pilots? I do not know ..

One operational maneuver that is a choice -- make the KB maneuver miles from home and burn fuel. The loss of an oiler or two would strand the KB far from home and only the threat of Dutch Subs has to play into the mind of the IJ.

Finally, the IJ could just be postioning the KB in the far western reaches of the empire with the thought of intercepting my next gambit. Stopping my push at Tarawa.

I have 3 days to figure this out.

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 256

RE: May Flowers - 10/22/2011 6:01:22 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
Status: offline

***************************************** MAY 14th 1942 *****************************************************

CENPAC:
The Grenadier fires 2 more duds and will start coming home. At the very least it must make my opponent cringe when it comes up on the CR screen

Submarine attack near Moppo at 99,54

Japanese Ships
xAK Okuyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier

xAK Okuyo Maru is sighted by SS Grenadier
SS Grenadier launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Okuyo Maru

In other news the Tarpon decided to try its luck at Truk and lost ..

TF 444 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108)

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon, Mine hits 1, on fire

Just to say Truk itself was not in the patrol zone but he decided to go there anyway ..

We have some movement of forces out to the Mariana's

9/16th Division is loaded on a Japanese AP moving to Saipan.

BURMA:

The skies of Prome were swept of enemy fighters:

Afternoon Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

.....

Afternoon Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 27,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 10

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed total

FO Thompson E. of No.605 Sqn RAF is credited with kill number 5 FO Thompson E. of No.605 Sqn RAF attains ace status!!

Now the problem. The 605th is due to withdrawl on June 6th. So all the aces in this group have to be transfered to other units and the rest of the boys released . This process for a big group takes a lot of time because one has to identify where to send them [pernament groups]; release pilots there; Fill those slots ....wash, rinse repeat ...

The good news is we are building Brit fighter formations of 80+ experince. We will eventually dominate the skies of Burma. The results will be the unlimited use of unopposed Ground attack...

... we strike the moving 53rd division heading for Mytkyma:

Morning Air attack on 53rd Division, at 60,44 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 47
Hudson IIIa x 12
Wellington Ic x 16

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
332 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled

About 3% causulties this turn. At this rate in 10 days we can make this division ineffective.

In Land combat we did not fare so well at Lashio but they are holding on and extracting their toll:

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22835 troops, 286 guns, 145 vehicles, Assault Value = 781

Defending force 6984 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 292

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 329

Allied adjusted defense: 334

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 1)

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
418 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 43 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
745 casualties reported
Squads: 25 destroyed, 68 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
55th Division
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Burma Brigade
200th Chinese Division
36th Chinese Division

So another day where the Allies inflicited pain on the IJ and slowed operations but nothing decisive. That is my strategy right now. Just a steady drip drip drip of attrition. We spend this turn continuing to postition forces from the WC to PH and PH to respective theaters. It is a months long process for sure.

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/22/2011 6:17:22 PM >

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 257

RE: May Flowers - 10/22/2011 6:39:02 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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The diagram below shows the Burma front as of mid-May 1942. In thinking about the operations to retake Burma, a lot of contraints come to mind. It is impossible to supply attacking forces going back West to East. The only supply route with connected LOC's is to China and that is a deprived supply sink hole. All other routes are disconnected from a main source of supply. I do not think I have enough resources to air supply a full campaign ala la Stailingrad. The other route requires an amphibious landing and seizure of ports/roads to Ragoon.

The good news is I have a long time to think about it. In the meantime I work on dominating the air over Burma and ground attacking with a focus on units moving in the open.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/22/2011 6:40:23 PM >

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Post #: 258

RE: May Flowers - 10/22/2011 10:31:30 PM

Crackaces

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Ok Some form of CVTF's have shown up in theater. Next turn he can strike Tarawa or Tabituea. Everything is evacuating while the USN CVTF's stay at a safe distance for now. Submarines are all over this area and might just make an impression.

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 259

RE: May Flowers - 10/22/2011 10:36:33 PM

Alfred

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

The diagram below shows the Burma front as of mid-May 1942. In thinking about the operations to retake Burma, a lot of contraints come to mind. It is impossible to supply attacking forces going back West to East. The only supply route with connected LOC's is to China and that is a deprived supply sink hole. All other routes are disconnected from a main source of supply. I do not think I have enough resources to air supply a full campaign ala la Stailingrad. The other route requires an amphibious landing and seizure of ports/roads to Ragoon.

The good news is I have a long time to think about it. In the meantime I work on dominating the air over Burma and ground attacking with a focus on units moving in the open.

You are just abut to get more time than you realise. The monsoon starts tomorrow and will last for 5 months.

Alfred

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 260

RE: May Flowers - 10/22/2011 11:43:52 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

The diagram below shows the Burma front as of mid-May 1942. In thinking about the operations to retake Burma, a lot of contraints come to mind. It is impossible to supply attacking forces going back West to East. The only supply route with connected LOC's is to China and that is a deprived supply sink hole. All other routes are disconnected from a main source of supply. I do not think I have enough resources to air supply a full campaign ala la Stailingrad. The other route requires an amphibious landing and seizure of ports/roads to Ragoon.

The good news is I have a long time to think about it. In the meantime I work on dominating the air over Burma and ground attacking with a focus on units moving in the open.

You are just abut to get more time than you realise. The monsoon starts tomorrow and will last for 5 months.

Alfred

I am not really sure what that means in game terms? I have read in the Tech Support thread that many players have home rules for no attacks duringthe Monsoon because it does not really change the game. Do you have any thoughts? Extra pilot fatigue? no air ops? Extra LCU fatigue?

< Message edited by Crackaces -- 10/22/2011 11:46:00 PM >

(in reply to Alfred)

Post #: 261

RE: May Flowers - 10/23/2011 2:49:04 AM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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************************************************* 15 MAY 1942 **************************************

DEI:

Usually I just ignore the DEI as a lost cause and I have not commented much ... but this turn the IJN landed unprepared at
Koepang. What has happened is not enough forces landed in the first place so quickly forces had to come from afar to reienforce. The results were an Alled victory of sorts:

Amphibious Assault at Koepang (68,116)

TF 83 troops unloading over beach at Koepang, 68,116

Japanese ground losses:
1025 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 88 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 74 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (0 destroyed, 10 disabled)

So the OOB is at this point:

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2343 troops, 38 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 175

Defending force 1823 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Assaulting units:
Sasebo 8th SNLF
Sasebo 3rd SNLF
65th Bde /1

Defending units:
Timor Garrison Battalion
Dili Detachment
Koepang Base Force

That would be 1K boys of the 65th bde that went for a swim ..

BURMA:

First the bad news Lashio falls

Ground combat at Lashio (62,46)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22496 troops, 286 guns, 145 vehicles, Assault Value = 739

Defending force 6281 troops, 31 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 207

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 413

Allied adjusted defense: 139

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Lashio !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), preparation(-), fatigue(-)
experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
121 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1651 casualties reported
Squads: 148 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 70 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 12 (11 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
18th Division
1st Tank Regiment
55th Division
23rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st Burma Brigade
200th Chinese Division
36th Chinese Division

But Prome yields 5 Ocars and ..

WO Higgins L. of No.17 Sqn RAF attains ace status!!

PO Picton T. of No.605 Sqn RAF attains ace status!!

Afternoon Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 8

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 4 destroyed

No Allied losses

Afternoon Air attack on Prome , at 55,50

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 26,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 11
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

JAPAN:

The SS Grenadier puts two slugs on target .. all duds .. that is 14 torps on target .all duds .. But just wait unitl this Commander gets live torps !

Sub attack near Fukue-jima at 99,57

Japanese Ships
TK Akebono Maru
PB Santo Maru
TK Tatekawa Maru
TK Ogura Maru #2
DD Kazegumo

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier
SS Grenadier launches 2 torpedoes at TK Akebono Maru

So the next turn is about staging our Carriers for a showdown. A KB of right now 2 CV's is off of Tarawa. He could have split the KB up set up a trap or any number of things so I shall be very cautious. The big thing is ... I know where he is to the exact hex .. and he has no clue where I am.

More later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 262

RE: May Flowers - 10/23/2011 9:47:57 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
Status: offline

I thought it was about time to post a strategy update:

BURMA:

Forces have been assembled at Calcutta, Chittagong, Akyab, Comilla, and Imphal India. A Division at Imphal and Cornilla with 3 bgdes at Akayb. More coming into theater soon. By the time the monsoon stops we should have 5 divisions along the border of India and more imporantly .. 5 level 7 bases to lanch air attacks into Burma.

CENPAC:

We jump to CENPAC because this turn shows a dramatic increase in committment into teh area. Multiple xAK convoys rolled over submarines .. no torps ..It looks the IJ will in fact resist strongly in this area. I suspect something more akin to a Solomon's like campaign with lots of bombardments and exchanges of naval platforms is a bloody duel. The only differnce is the distance from fuel sources -- a distinct advnatage to teh Allies in my opinion.

I suspect the next move is to strike Ocean Island while bombarding Tarawa. I have 3 SST's to try and evacuate the Marines ...

OZ:

The IJA have decided to plunge deep into the depths of OZ. They are 2 hexes from Katherine at the moment. I have assumbled one complete AUS division, about 700 AV plus support. Very soon B-17's will be raining hell on earth on 2 IJA divisions or 800 AV. I think I want to assemble a full 1K AV and then begin to maneuver to cut off supplies and push the IJA back.

SOPAC:

Mac' is waiting impatiently for his forces that are moving toward Sydney. Three divisions, plus 4 art units are in route. Once assembled at Sydney will we see how things develop but forces are prepping for locations on the Solomons ..I am thinking of a strong diversionary strike, and establsih some airbases on Lunga and the Russel Islands while the IJ is busy with Tarawa. I at least have forces prepping ...

AIRWAR:

Ok . The numbers go total loss A2A ... ground but the Total loss is what I am loking at the IJ rank the top 7 and though Nates suck .. the A6M2 Zero's are in 2nd place for aircraft losses. Then 4 bomber models are all close together all around 150 losses .. the Oscar's got smashed in Burma .. The second col is important because its A2A which is more believable ...

752 Ki-27b Nate Fighter 226 127 2 0 97
603 A6M2 Zero Fighter 196 107 1 8 80
788 Ki-48-Ib Lily Level Bomber 175 20 69 0
670 G3M2 Nell Level Bomber 171 62 54 0 55
747 Ki-21-IIa Sally Level Bomber 151 38 57 0 56
761 Ki-43-Ic Oscar Fighter 128 87 0 2 39
673 G4M1 Betty Level Bomber 126 29 40 0 57

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 263

RE: May Flowers - 10/23/2011 10:16:59 PM

Crackaces

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****************************************************** 16 MAY 1942 *******************************************

First it was Betty's and then Lilly's and now Nell's are trying to supress Chittagong. And failing ....

Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 89 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 35 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 18

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
Mohawk IV x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged

No Allied losses

I probably have to devote more airpower to nighttime duty.

The other significant event was an ASW contest at Colombo .. it did not go well for the IJN as I saw no less than 5 "taking on water messages" 2 "Severe Engine Damage" and 1 "Ship's side penatrated" message. However, we kept dropping DC's and kept contact so maybe she will make it home ..

ASW attack near Colombo at 26,48

Japanese Ships
SS I-15, hits 5

Allied Ships
DD Pakenham
DD Inconstant

The Dutch are fighting for their little lives at Koepang .. but their fate is sealed ..

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7432 troops, 71 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 191

Defending force 1841 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Japanese adjusted assault: 73

Allied adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
167 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
125 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

More tommorow ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 264

RE: May Flowers - 10/24/2011 3:29:40 PM

Crackaces

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The KB comes to play ...

The picture below illistrates that the KB most assuredly has come into theater. I have the USN CVTF's a safe 33 hexes away. At full speed he can do 18 hexes and add 8 the maximum range of a launch and at least the CVTF's are safe for this turn.

In the meantime every hex in all those slots between the Marshall's and Gilbert Islands are filled with Dutch and USN submarines. I know I know ... it takes the same odds of filling an inside straight as it takes to get an USN torp to stick .. but it has the same effect of getting lucky and winning a big pot. In this case the dominant hand does not know I am drawing free cards ..

[It's a poker analogy ...

]

OK I will post the combat report as soon as it comes ..

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 265

RE: May Flowers - 10/24/2011 6:39:32 PM

Crackaces

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We did get submarine attacks off .. and one of our USN boys made a torp stick ...

Submarine attack near Hengchun at 85,68

Japanese Ships
xAK Mansyu Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Sailfish

xAK Mansyu Maru is sighted by SS Sailfish
SS Sailfish launches 2 torpedoes

The other did not ..

Sub attack near Ponape at 117,112

Japanese Ships
AV Kunikawa Maru
AV Sanyo Maru
DD Fubuki

Allied Ships
SS Gar
SS Gar launches 4 torpedoes at AV Kunikawa Maru

Interestingly the IJ detected our submarine mines at Milli and have xAK's ready to land troops. They are reinforcing like mad after I kicked the hornets nest over!

TF 483 encounters mine field at Mili (136,121)

Japanese Ships
AMc Tama Maru #3
AMc Shonan Maru #7

15 mines cleared

We come in low over Malkin and cause 30 causualites ..our bombing of units at Prome yielded no joy ..

But the IJAAF hitting Katherine find the flak intense!

Morning Air attack on NW Australia Base Force, at 76,129 , near Katherine

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 21

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 13 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied ground losses:
22 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Koepang finally fell

Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 7356 troops, 71 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 182

Defending force 1631 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Japanese adjusted assault: 76

Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Koepang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-)
morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
174 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
261 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (10 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

The tension continues in the Gilberts and the KB is not going home. This means we have to push the bowl of jello in a different place for now ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 266

RE: May Flowers - 10/25/2011 12:52:31 AM

Crackaces

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************************************************ 18 MAY 1942 ****************************************

BURMA:

The night raids by the Nell's continue:

Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 19

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 14
Mohawk IV x 2
Kittyhawk IA x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 6 damaged

No Allied losses
Airbase hits 1

We seem to be damaging our far share and the raid total has been reduced from 24 to 19. We need to get this group down in size soon ..

CENPAC:

The most interesting thing about the below is the number of ships involved. The IJN has committed no less that 25 ships here plus the KB of 12 or more ships. A tremendous comittment.

ASW attack near Wotje at 135,116

Japanese Ships
DD Asashio
CA Suzuya
CA Mogami
CA Ashigara
CA Maya
CL Abukuma
CL Kinu
DD Yamagumo
DD Amagiri
DD Asagiri
DD Kasumi
DD Arare

Allied Ships
SS S-47, hits 1

ASW attack near Ailinglaplap at 134,117

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu
BB Nagato
CA Aoba
CA Haguro
CA Chokai
CL Yubari
CL Tenryu
CL Kitakami
CL Yura
CS Chiyoda
DD Kuroshio
DD Asagao
DD Mochizuki
DD Usugumo
DD Kawakaze

Allied Ships
SS Sealion

I have to think hard about how to manage this situaiton. I like the fact that the IJN has committed so much in terms of burned fuel. But I have to be very very careful about using my CVTF's. Once we exchange queens his BB's would rule this area making supply impossble ...

(in reply to DOCUP)

Post #: 267

RE: May Flowers - 10/25/2011 4:02:08 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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The Gilbert's vs. the Solomon's

In my blissfully ignorant mind the Gilberts have a couple of advantages over dueling in the Solomon's

I like the ability to sail submarines -- particularly the Dutch submarines in the deep open water hexes next to the IJ ports. The Solomon's have shallow water hexes in many locations making submarine warfare more difficult and risky. In the diagram below I illistrates the interlocking submarine patrols. It is just too difficult in my opinion in the shallow waters to do this. But the deep water hexes are primary submarine hunting grounds. We had two unsucessfull attacks for sure .. but its an odds game. Eventually it wil catch up.

The distance between his current ports and Tarawa is 11 hexes. He cannot make it to Tarawa from port bombard and back in one turn. For at least one night or one day turn he has to be exposed to air/sea/and submarine assest. His KB cannot stay out here foreever, and time is on my side. Although, I suspect the KB will postion in Truk and be able to react to the Solomons and Gilberts Equally.

Finally, after battles it is easier to get my damaged platform eventually to PH and safety. The Solomons offers a couple of close by Naval facilites but nothing beats getting into the Yard in the safe open arms of PH or eventually the WC.

Ok here is the situation today below:

Attachment (1)

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 268

RE: May Flowers - 10/25/2011 4:26:02 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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********************************************** 19 MAY 1942 *********************************************************

Only two real air battles this turn in Burma of consequince:

Night Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 30 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 9

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 16
Mohawk IV x 2
Kittyhawk IA x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

No Allied losses

He is premptively bombing Paoshan

Morning Air attack on Paoshan , at 65,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 21

Runway hits 8

No Japanese losses

In the CENPAC .. we met zeros ..

Afternoon Air attack on 2nd Naval Construction Battalion, at 136,125 (Makin)

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9

Allied aircraft
B-18A Bolo x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-18A Bolo: 1 damaged

That means either LBA or the KB is close by ...

more later ..

(in reply to Crackaces)

Post #: 269

RE: May Flowers - 10/25/2011 6:11:22 PM

Crackaces

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Joined: 7/9/2011
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Situation: 20 MAY 1942

It is indeed a critical day like in real life the battle of Coral Sea. The IJ have formed 3 CVTF's consisting of 6 CV's total and 2 CVL's. Intel has 2 BB's in each group along with 2 CA's and CL's.

I see three possibilites this turn.

1) The force continues Southwest toward the western shores of Tarawa. He will meet 3 submarines and roll the dice. Maybe he will bombard Tarawa?
2) He plans to invade/bombard Tabeturea ..my carriers [future postions in grey] will be just out of range this turn ..
3) He will change direction on rush toward Baker Island.

It is quite possible to go full speed and cover Tabetuea and have a huge carrier battle. The USN would take the worse of it but getting just 3 -4 carriers wold be a big win.

Decisions ...Decisions ...Decisions ...