Bullwinkle58
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April 22, 1942
Operation FUDD--Teetering On Failure
The screenshot above, while not marked up, shows the general dispositions. How they got that way is a long, busy turn with successes and failures.
In summary, the Rangoon portion of FUDD is on the verge of failure. Why is a combination of my mistakes and Japanese reactions far faster then I had thought possible. As Nemo has said elsewhere in recent days, the game is all about learning and this has been some learning. I'll probably do a post-mortem once it's over, but for now I want to say how it got there.
1) Planning assumed Rangoon had two LCUs, one of which was confirmed to be an RTA division, and the other a probable aviation support unit of some kind. The large stack at Toungoo had been in place for weeks, sometimes reading one size, then another. Nothing had been seen on the rails or roads between that base and Rangoon. Allied prep envisioned opposed landings at Rangoon with a 100% prepped Indian division from Madras, a tank unit, a corps HQ, a medium-sized arty unit, and two engineering units. The balance of the heavy combat forces would come overland due to restricted status, from Akyab and Chittagong. Three British brigades would come by sea in second and third waves, with much more India-based armor in a fourth "leak in" effort over 3-4 weeks. Armor was also prepped to take Pegu, with one unit also prepped for Moulmein. The overall objective was to take Rangoon for psychological and VP reasons and to take Pegu in order to isolate the large Toungoo stack. Coincident with the Rangoon landings heavy Chinese forces would move on Toungoo to force Japan to a choice. Either stand and fight with limited suplies, or fall back toward Rangoon and hope to re-take the base.
FUDD was envisioned as a bolt-from-the-blue effort of "good enough now is better than perfect later." But too much strategic warning was given to Japan due to recon and approaches to Prome. Further, pre-landing recon was abysmal. The landings achieved three full phases of unloading this turn, but with large amounts of disruption and quite a bit of lost equipment over the side, especially arty tubes and AFVs.
Part of FUDD was also to be a para landing and securing of Bassein in order to open a retreat hexside. The para situation was detailed several days ago. Viper Force has landed on a non-base hex west of the river and is marching on Bassein, but will be several days. The landings at Rangoon, should they collapse, might retreat up the road toward the oncoming 18,500-man stack there, unless the Japanese close the open hex next turn, in which case the landing forces will be destroyed or surrender.
If that happens FUDD will have taken Prome, possibly Bassein. The Chinese around Toungoo were ordered to close on the base this turn. It is unlclear in the first screen shot above if some or all of the Toungoo defenders are on the move. That base remains fluid as well.
There were many, many discrete actions in the region this turn. Due to this I will re-print selected portions of the combat report. I don't make a habit of this, but in this case it saves time and typing.
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
162 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Silvermaple
DD Norman
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
160 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Australia Star
DD Nestor
Allied ground losses:
66 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
168 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Itria
xAK Empire Glade
xAK Ariadne Moller
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Submarine attack near Rangoon at 53,55
Japanese Ships
SS I-164
Allied Ships
DE Sutlej
DE Sutlej is sighted by SS I-164
SS I-164 launches 2 torpedoes
Night Time Surface Combat, near Moulmein at 54,56, Range 11,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Shell hits 2
CL Isuzu
CL Tama
DD Hayashio, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
Allied Ships
BB Revenge, Shell hits 2
BB Royal Sovereign, Shell hits 1
BB Ramillies, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1 (light damage, 10 flooding worst of it)
BB Resolution
CL Enterprise
DD Fortune
Pre-Invasion action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
297 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Emerald
DD Nizam
DD Tjerk Hiddes
xAP Aorangi
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 15 (1 destroyed, 14 disabled)
Amphibious Assault at Rangoon (54,53)
TF 199 troops unloading over beach at Rangoon, 54,53
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 7 (0 destroyed, 7 disabled)
5.5" Arty Gun lost in surf during unload of 8th Medium Rgt
Pre-Invasion action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
303 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAKL Santa Ana
xAKL Selma City
xAKL Santa Ana fired at enemy troops
xAKL Selma City fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
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Amphibious Assault at Rangoon (54,53)
TF 244 troops unloading over beach at Rangoon, 54,53
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Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
163 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Silvermaple
DD Norman
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
157 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Australia Star
DD Nestor
Allied ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 7 (1 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
146 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Itria
xAK Empire Glade
xAK Ariadne Moller
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 13 (11 destroyed, 2 disabled)
xAK Itria fired at enemy troops
xAK Empire Glade fired at enemy troops
xAK Ariadne Moller fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
293 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
CL Emerald
xAP Aorangi
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Nizam
CL Emerald firing at 15th Guards Regiment
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 6,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
152 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAKL Santa Ana
xAKL Selma City
xAKL Santa Ana fired at enemy troops
xAKL Selma City fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
157 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Silvermaple
DD Norman
Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
147 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Australia Star
DD Nestor
Allied ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
151 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Erinpura
xAK Empire Glade
xAK Ariadne Moller
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
xAK Erinpura fired at enemy troops
xAK Empire Glade fired at enemy troops
xAK Ariadne Moller fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards
=======================================
The air environment was also thick and furious. More torpedo bombers became engaged, although strong bombing efforts remained south at Singers. The Mavis torpedo attacks took place again, and did a lot of damage. Once again Zeroes and Oscars came low to strafe and bomb.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 53 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2
G3M2 Nell x 9
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied Ships
CL Glasgow
CL Dauntless, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 43 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes
Japanese aircraft
H6K4 Mavis x 13
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
Japanese aircraft losses
H6K4 Mavis: 5 damaged
Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
xAK Silvermaple, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Colombo, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 34 (26 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Aircraft Attacking:
13 x H6K4 Mavis launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
xAKL Nanchang, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 68 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-32 Mary x 15
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 10
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
KV Thyme
xAKL Santa Ana
xAK Shillong
xAP Lancashire
Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Ariadne Moller
xAK Itria
Morning Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53
Weather in hex: Overcast
Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 20
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 14
LB-30 Liberator x 3
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 7 damaged
LB-30 Liberator: 3 damaged
Runway hits 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Toungoo , at 57,50
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes
Allied aircraft
Wellington Ic x 12
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 7
Morning Air attack on TF, near Bassein at 53,52
Weather in hex: Heavy rain
Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 damaged
Allied Ships
xAK San Alvaro, Shell hits 3
Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing from 100 feet
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 60 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 23 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G3M2 Nell x 7
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 12
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 3 damaged
Allied Ships
CLAA Van Heemskerck
CL Glasgow
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 26 minutes
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1
No Japanese losses
Allied Ships
xAK Nurmahal, Bomb hits 3, on fire
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangoon at 54,53
Weather in hex: Clear sky
Raid detected at 76 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 15
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 2 damaged
Allied Ships
CL Emerald
xAP Moreton Bay
xAP Largs Bay
xAKL Kalarand
DD Tjerk Hiddes
xAK Shillong
Submarine attack near Rangoon at 54,53 (right inside Rangoon harbor!)
Japanese Ships
SS I-164
Allied Ships
xAKL Selma City, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage (sinks)
Allied ground losses:
Guns lost 7 (2 destroyed, 5 disabled)
xAKL Selma City is sighted by SS I-164
SS I-164 attacking xAKL Selma City on the surface
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
161 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Aorangi
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Nizam
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Pre-Invasion action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
303 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
KV Thyme
xAP Lancashire
Allied ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Amphibious Assault at Rangoon (54,53)
TF 332 troops unloading over beach at Rangoon, 54,53
Allied ground losses:
46 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
157 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAK Shirala
DD Norman
Allied ground losses:
19 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Invasion Support action off Rangoon (54,53)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
151 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
xAP Australia Star
DD Nestor
Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
===========================
As stated, this is a selected edition of the combat rounds. There were more. FUDD is a very large operation for this phase of the war.
Despite the sinking of the one IJN DD by the BB TF, the cruisers were lurking the entire time and have disapeared again as the next turn begins, as seen in the second screenshot. The RN carriers saw no action; their fighters were repositioned for more self-defense and they were moved toward Pt. Blair to cover the withdrawl of damaged landing ships. One of these sunk due to fire; 80 men of the Indian infantry unit were rescued by the second ship in company, which should make Pt. Blair with heavy damage. The BBs were sent south on patrol zone to guard against the cruisers, but with so many torpedo bombers in theater will probably move away tomorrow.
Ground combat at Rangoon once again was restricted to a Japanese bombardment. I assume this is to gain intel as well as promote disruption. The number of Japanese units present is startling, especially as they are not in strat mode, but participating in the bombardment.
Ground combat at Rangoon (54,53)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 16599 troops, 200 guns, 10 vehicles, Assault Value = 1376
Defending force 2815 troops, 118 guns, 162 vehicles, Assault Value = 210
Assaulting units:
16th Guards Regiment
14th Guards Regiment
5th Guards Cav Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
3rd RTA Division
II./143rd Infantry Battalion
15th Guards Regiment
22nd Recon Regiment
7th RTA Division
6th Tank Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
5th Guards Engineer Regiment
55th Engineer Regiment
17th Indpt Guards Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
55th Const Co
15th JAAF AF Bn
15th Army
91st JAAF AF Bn
7th JAAF Base Force
29th JAAF AF Coy
Defending units:
19th Indian Division
I Aus Corps Engr Bn /1
7th Australian Div /1
7th Armoured Bde /2
B Sqn 3rd Hussars Regiment
2/1 AIF Pioneer Bn /1
21st Light AA Regiment
2/13th Field Rgt /1
8th Medium Rgt /1
RAF 222 Group Base Force /3
Elsewhere . . .
1) Singers, as stated, got large air strikes. Fort building is day-to-day, but some is getting done.
2) Lots of "normal" bombing in China. Ledo is providing one Chinese Big Stack unit per day a trickle of supply with 7 transports. The stopper tanks are bombed again for no hits.
3) In the Straits of Malacca at least two Japanese TFs are moving south. A Dutch sub attacks one and misses. Five Allied subs are in the Strait now. One small minefield expires. 40 more mines are laid by RN subs near Singers.
4) City attacks on Djambi oil and Georgetown HI achieve little.
5) Tabiteuea is taken by 7th Indpt SNLF Coy
6) Chittagong AF goes to 5.
7) The CV TF near Hawaii continues to circle Johnson I. It is seen today heading west again NW of Palmyra. Unloading at Johnson continues. The minefield is supplimented, reaching circa 300. Forts there go to 1. The base is fully repaired.
< Message edited by Bullwinkle58 -- 4/20/2013 6:37:14 PM >
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The Moose
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RE: Nothing Up My Sleeve: Magical Moose Tricks--Bullwin... - 
Depending on forts and how close he has reinforcements it might prove too much. 
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