Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

What are the Jap TFs outside Kyushu? Fleeing the Okinawas or moving to engage?

quote:

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Someone to Stalin "Quantity is superior to quality."
Stalin "Quantity has a quality all its own!"

Something that I learned in an organization that has its own way of doing things:
"Why use a little hammer in you have a big one?"

A dirty trick (especially if you were a little more to the west) is to turn left and invade Luzon!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Drakanel

Hrm, I expected Kamikaze hell by now. Strange. Unless he really thinks you're just going for Daito Shoto.

Or unless he's waiting for your convoys to be closer to Okinawa itself...

quote:

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

You have BFs with you to get a CAP up once you secure your first base?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I am really curious to hear about your further China plans.

Going back, Aug 1, 1944 Vinh was almost besieged. It is now October, and I would posit that Andav has really only put up a token resistance to you along the Indochina/China front. Your opinion may differ, however.
I think that "token" is not an apt description. Resistance has been much lighter than it would have been except for trapping so many fine IJA formations away from the action. Not to mention destroying them, a task which is still underway. DAW HQ has rallied many troops from elsewhere in China to the front.

In that time you have now secured Pakhoi to Vinh but not Lang Son...Aug 1 to Oct 15 (roughly). Almost three months from Vinh to Canton against not a lot of Japanese troops.
Not at Canton yet! There should be fairly little between us and Canton now, however:
- It will take time to walk there.
- Lang Son, while on the verge of falling, still must be taken, and
- The Imperial army at Lang Son must be defeated either in place or as it retreats.
- It is clear that Walter is fine with leaving them to defend to the last in exchange for time.


Will you bypass Canton and seek to get tanks further into the Chinese plains?
Canton and Hong Kong are important targets IMO. Significant industry at both. A large repair shipyard at Hong Kong. Fully developed airfields. Very likely large supply stockpiles. Bypassing them by land makes no sense to me.
Or will your advance be methodical and plodding? Or perhaps a thrust north to the Chinese capitol?
Targets farther along the coast of China will become more vulnerable to seaward invasions when Okinawa and Formosa are in Allied hands. The battle for Canton and Hong Kong should be well underway before those operations are complete. Remember, the Imperial defense in China will be undermined from the rear even while holes are being punched through it.

In thinking ahead, you have destroyed a fair bit of Japanese troops, which might respawn on Honshu, and if they do, then the supply drain upon the Empire will surely be great re-creating all those troops.
Good! That will make cutting off the Home Islands from most/all SLOCs even more effective.

You are now involved in a life and death struggle at Daito and Okinawa tying up your heavy bomber forces from the destruction of Japanese industry to bombing runways.
There was no more to be gained by hitting Japanese industry, because the air defenses of the industrial targets was massively strengthened in response to our early offensive. For example, 222 fighters at Osaka/Kyoto now, and something tells me they aren't the junior varsity. I feel I got what I could while I could. I will get more later when the bombers get fighters in there to help them.
Do you plan to ever try night bombing?
Self-restraint on that until January 1, 1945. IIRC I have not informed Walter of that.
Are your efforts at attacking Japanese industry lagging?
No, but my butt sags a little. Got to work out more.
Or do you feel Andav has stockpiled enough and the bombing won't gain you anything?
No. The bombers have a tougher row to hoe in the game than IRL. First off, Japanese pilot quality is much better than IRL. Second, the IJ player knows what is coming and can plan for it. BTW, I got in what I could because I started earlier than he thought I would. In addition to the damage done, many Imperial air defenses have been pulled back to defend industry in the Home Islands. Recall than when bombing Home Islands industry got tougher I moved the B-29 groups back to Asia to hit HI and LI targets. The later of those raids were just as tough as the Home Islands had become. In about two game weeks the new model of B-29 with longer range comes on line at a higher production rate, and the P-51D comes on line with a higher production rate.

Really enjoying the AAR and the choices you make.
Cool!

quote:


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Ground combat at 60,50 (near Taung Gyi)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 22608 troops, 395 guns, 248 vehicles, Assault Value = 514

Defending force 3923 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 14

Allied adjusted assault: 256

Japanese adjusted defense: 1

Allied assault odds: 256 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), morale(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
4315 casualties reported
Squads: 61 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 539 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

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

Assaulting units:
23rd Indian Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
29th Division


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Ground combat at 61,65 (near Pakse)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 8352 troops, 268 guns, 36 vehicles, Assault Value = 453

Defending force 2036 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37

Japanese ground losses:
144 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
11th PAVO Regiment
11th Airborne/A Division
754th Tank Battalion
11th Airborne/B Division
2/11th Armoured Car Regiment
11th Airborne/C Division
27th Indian Field Artillery Battalion
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
32nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
30th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
33rd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
31st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
17th Ind.Mixed Brigade


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quote:


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Night Time Surface Combat, near Naha at 94,66, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano, Shell hits 6, on fire
CL Yura
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
DD Haraden
DD Philip
CA Ramree Island

Reduced sighting due to 3% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 3% moonlight: 5,000 yards
Range closes to 24,000 yards...
Range closes to 18,000 yards...
Range closes to 12,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
Range closes to 6,000 yards...
Range closes to 4,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 4,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 4,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Ramree Island at 4,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Wichita at 4,000 yards
CA Ramree Island engages DD Yugiri at 4,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Haraden at 4,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
CA Ramree Island engages CA Kumano at 2,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Wichita at 2,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Yugiri at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Ramree Island at 6,000 yards
CA Ramree Island engages CL Yura at 6,000 yards
DD Philip engages DD Yugiri at 6,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Haraden at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Wichita engages CA Kumano at 10,000 yards
CL Yura engages CA Wichita at 10,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Philip at 10,000 yards
Range increases to 12,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Ramree Island at 12,000 yards
CL Yura engages DD Haraden at 12,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Haraden at 12,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Haraden at 12,000 yards
Range increases to 14,000 yards
CA Kumano engages CA Ramree Island at 14,000 yards
CA Wichita engages CL Yura at 14,000 yards
DD Yugiri engages DD Philip at 14,000 yards
Task forces break off...


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Night Naval bombardment of Nago at 95,65

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-67-Ia (T) Peggy: 22 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 25 damaged
Ki-44-IIc Tojo: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 13 damaged
B6N1 Jill: 6 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 14 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Prome
CA Baltimore

Japanese ground losses:
280 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Repair Shipyard hits 1
Merchant Shipyard hits 2
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 29
Port hits 12
Port fuel hits 5
Port supply hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Prome
CA Prome firing at Nago
CA Baltimore firing at Nago


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Night Naval bombardment of Amami Oshima at 98,64

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 2 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 7 damaged
Ki-43-IIIa Oscar: 2 destroyed on ground
A6M5 Zero: 3 damaged
A6M5 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K1 Rex: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Boston
CA Northampton

Japanese ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 10
Port hits 6
Port fuel hits 3

SOC-1 Seagull acting as spotter for CA Boston
CA Boston firing at 53rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for CA Northampton
CA Northampton firing at Amami Oshima


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Night Naval bombardment of Naha at 95,66

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
J2M2 Jack: 2 damaged
J2M2 Jack: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M2 Betty: 17 damaged
G4M2 Betty: 2 destroyed on ground
Ki-84a Frank: 6 damaged
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed on ground
N1K2-J George: 4 damaged
N1K2-J George: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
BB Oklahoma

Japanese ground losses:
274 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (6 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Merchant Shipyard hits 1
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 19
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 1

OS2U-3 Kingfisher acting as spotter for BB Oklahoma
BB Oklahoma firing at Naha


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shaohing at 92,59

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 29
F6F-3 Hellcat x 41
F6F-5 Hellcat x 54
SBD-5 Dauntless x 71

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Naniwa Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Koyo Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Horei Maru, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Bandoeng Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kanjo Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAKL Fukuyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Macassar Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Kurohime Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Jinyo Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kuretake Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAKL Suzan Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
E No.132, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAKL Ryua Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
22 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
11 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
16 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
1 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
6 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 1 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Koyo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Bandoeng Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Kanjo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Macassar Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kurohime Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Suzan Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E No.132
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Jinyo Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Ryua Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Horei Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kuretake Maru
Massive explosion on xAK Kuretake Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Naniwa Maru


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Koshiki-jima Retto at 100,60

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 3
Ki-84a Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 23
F4U-1D Corsair x 21
TBM-1C Avenger x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1A Corsair: 1 destroyed
F4U-1D Corsair: 2 destroyed
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 38, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
SC Ch 20, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb
16 x F4U-1A Corsair sweeping at 10000 feet
16 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 10000 feet

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai/C with Ki-84a Frank (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
352 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring SC Ch 38
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring SC Ch 20


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Shaohing at 92,59

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid detected at 35 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 54
TBM-1C Avenger x 36

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Jinyo Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Kurohime Maru, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Ryua Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Kanjo Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Macassar Maru, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Nissen Maru #3, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Koyo Maru, and is sunk
xAK Bandoeng Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kuretake Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Fukuyama Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAKL Suzan Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.
18 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.

Jinyo Maru dead in the water ...
Koyo Maru dead in the water ...


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Shaohing at 92,59

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 8 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Allied aircraft
F4U-1A Corsair x 21
F6F-3 Hellcat x 24
TBM-1C Avenger x 16

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAKL Nanka Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
E No.132, on fire
E No.8, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x TBM-1C Avenger bombing from 5000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 500 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAKL Nanka Maru
Massive explosion on xAKL Nanka Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E No.132
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring E No.8


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Koshiki-jima Retto at 100,60

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
J2M3 Jack x 6
Ki-84a Frank x 6

Allied aircraft
F4U-1D Corsair x 29
F6F-5 Hellcat x 24
SBD-5 Dauntless x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-84a Frank: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4U-1D Corsair: 4 destroyed
F6F-5 Hellcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-5 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 20, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
SC Ch 19, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
SC Ch 38, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
12 x F6F-5 Hellcat sweeping at 10000 feet
9 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
16 x F4U-1D Corsair sweeping at 10000 feet
4 x SBD-5 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
24th Sentai/C with Ki-84a Frank (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 17000.
Raid is overhead
352 Ku S-2 with J2M3 Jack (6 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
6 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 18000.
Raid is overhead

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring SC Ch 38
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring SC Ch 20
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring SC Ch 19


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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Fukue-jima at 99,59

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
F6F-3 Hellcat x 15
TBM-1C Avenger x 9

Allied aircraft losses
TBM-1C Avenger: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 34, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x TBM-1C Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 22.4in Mk 13 Torp.



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quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Email Tokyo has revealed that we sailed right past where it was thought we would land, and then sailed right past where it was then thought we would land!

I've decided that the next landing will approach Tokyo before heading to its real destination!

quote:

This is why I made accommodations in sea lift plans just to get the Okinawa landings done first.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

This is why I made accommodations in sea lift plans just to get the Okinawa landings done first.

Sort of my comment that you understand fine distinctions that end up saving VP's in the end ..

I am thinking Okinawa is more about projection of power to isolate Japan from retreating forces back to the Home Islands
and isolate any hope for the Philippines as opposed to an immediate stepping stone to the home islands.

The delicate balance continues as the Allies avoid a slog fest but put tremendous pressure on the IJ ..

quote:

ORIGINAL: witpqs

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

quote:

This is why I made accommodations in sea lift plans just to get the Okinawa landings done first.

Sort of my comment that you understand fine distinctions that end up saving VP's in the end ..

I am thinking Okinawa is more about projection of power to isolate Japan from retreating forces back to the Home Islands
and isolate any hope for the Philippines as opposed to an immediate stepping stone to the home islands.

The delicate balance continues as the Allies avoid a slog fest but put tremendous pressure on the IJ ..

Yes, my intentions stated better than I have! How well I am doing with choosing among those fine distinctions, time will tell. Plenty of mistakes in my wake!