vaned74
Posts: 389
Joined: 11/17/2008 Status: offline
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Seldom post, but I always enjoy reading your AAR. Just some random musings that might be worth exploring. 1. I thought (and it has been a while since I have tested / looked at it) that one of the value propositions of CD units was that bombarding ships tended to concentrate more on them. Can you bring in one of the Indian Cst Arty units with the 6" CD guns? Perhaps they have the range to engage his ships and thus draw some fire. I recall there being 2 or 3 of them available. 2. I like the RCT as the tripwire on the west side of the island. I doubt a long walk up the west side of the island would not encounter major supply difficulties for John, especially in the force required. However, it could be a good flanking maneuver. Even if he lost a lot of supply in movement, etc he is probably thinking he will capture a bunch from you at Sabang in the end so it would even out. 3. It seems to me that you need some more ground troops as if you have to watch the landing sites at Langsa, Sabang, and the overland routes on both sides of the island you are short reserves. I suspect if you could get another division or two into Sumatra you would really be secure on the ground with good reserves to respond to any thrust and protect your bases against invasion. 4. It looks to me like you really just need to hold on for about 4 more months. By mid-43 you should have a good crop of Hellcats available and some new carriers. At this point, you can use your carriers to draw his LBA on his island bases to attack you and get shredded by your CAP. With your CVs you can always pick an axis of approach to enable attacks from at most one or two of his bases at a time that he is building up to "air blockade" Sabang. With AF levels not likely exceeding 4-6 and with a half dozen fleet CVs and radar equipped ships, you should tear up his attacks at this point. 5. The above would force him to commit KB to maintain his blockade of Sabang which is good for you in other theaters. However, the key of course is making sure you are secure against defeat on the land. This means (1) troops in sufficient quantity / quality with reserves and (2) supply. 6. Have you considered the following: a. Flying in fresh troops from Ramree. A couple of squadrons of PBYs should be able to airlift 200-300 troops per day into Sabang. In 60 days this is about a division. This would give you at least a true mobile reserve that you could commit w/o having to denude potential landing sites of cover. b. You could get some heavier stuff in (especially the CDs) via ships like Abdiel if you still have her. Speed around 35-40 knots and a good cargo capacity for fast transport. Run her in at full speed with do not unload / auto disband. Unload her / auto disband next day. And then run her out to a waiting AO/merchant to refuel. c. Same could perhaps be done with some APDs, SST (if you have one), lone AKLs when KB is away to get some regular supplies in. Remembering that even a few trips per month over 3-4 months could amount to an additional 1-3K supplies. d. If you could bring in some additional CDs beyond Sabang to protect your troops on the coast that would help. e. I think you can airlift in AA up to at least 40mm if I recall, a few additional AA units would force John to focus his BBs/CAs to disrupt you - and as you have correctly identified friction is your friend. A torpedo there and a mine here will do wonders over time. f. Speaking of mines - have you considered using a sub or two to drop a minefield on the approach hexes to Sabang - eg not in Sabang itself, but, one or two hexes away. The field will decay relatively fast, but, you should have plenty of mines as the Allies and little use for them generally now that the offensive period for Japan has passed. A fresh undetected field may surprise him and a hit on the way in for a bombardment run may spoil a whole run. Exciting stuff. Enjoying following the action.
< Message edited by vaned74 -- 2/3/2016 4:53:54 PM >
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