RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apbarog(A) vs OPilot(J)

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/10/2018 5:31:21 PM

BBfanboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

There is a counter to it though. The Japanese can close all the hexsides to it and pin the Dutch troops there indefinitely. Leave just enough troops that the Dutch won't attack. And they won't. The Japanese would get the benefit of defending in the mountains.

OPilot has closed all but one of the hexsides. The one to the coast without a trail is still open. The Dutch aren't going anywhere, and if they can't leave the hex, they will eventually starve. It just might take a long time. A rescue invasion by the Allies probably won't happen, or happen in time.

The Japanese can also use Bandoeng as bomber pilot training. Since it is getting bombed every day, OPilot may be doing this.

Bombing will have the additional benefit of destroying some supply, but it also gives the troops being bombed an experience boost, no?

_____________________________

No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth

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Post #: 331

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/11/2018 6:59:32 PM

apbarog

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Don't know if being bombed improves experience. I doubt that it matters for the Dutch at Bandoeng. I can't see how they survive in the long term.

16 Apr 42

Ndeni is invaded by enemy fast transport. 2 APDs unload about 520 men. The 2nd Marine Raider Battalion is defending there, with limited supply. The Marines attack today, hoping to push the enemy back into the sea. US APDs start loading supply at Auckland for Ndeni. Catalinas from Suva can fly some in also.

Near Wuchow, the enemy attacks again, with fairly even losses but closer to a 2 to 1 attack. A Chinese corp has just cut off the enemy unit's supply line.

The enemy attacks with decisive results near Yenan. A breakthrough is about to occur. Chinese units are scrambling to fall back to the west and be in defensible terrain. This is a real problem. Chinese east of Sian are vulnerable to being flanked.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/12/2018 12:30:10 AM

Bif1961

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From: Phenix City, Alabama
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My opponent had about 350 Dutch AV in the mountains and if he wanted to he could have attacked down one avenue I was blocking with most of that so I would have had to surround the at least 6 hex sides with a RGT each or leaving 2 divisions plus behind just to guard one hex. Seems in the long run the Japanese benefit more from biting the bullet, bombing and assaulting at least that will eventually kill them all and eliminate a huge stack of enemy units in your rear that has to be surrounded and isolated for several months as they slowly starve to death.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/12/2018 12:40:38 AM

apbarog

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To pin the Dutch at Bandoeng, one division would be more than enough. Instead of the Dutch benefiting from the mountain terrain, now the Japanese would. Less than a division would be enough. Just make sure to have control of all of the hexsides first.

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Post #: 334

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/12/2018 7:36:54 PM

apbarog

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17 Apr 42

Just dropped some mines at the approaches to Rangoon. DMS W-20 finds them and sweeps one. The minesweeper is probably at Rangoon. Then AO Gen'yo Maru hits a mine, and heavy fires are reported. Sinking audio follows the combat. I'll take an AO sunk any day.

Near Bassein, on the convoy route to Rangoon, Dutch sub KXVI spotted a big xAKL task force and torpedoed PB Nishho Maru. The patrol boat is sunk. A little later, the sub fired 2 torpedoes at a sub chaser but missed.

A big sweep of the contested hex south of Chittagong. 60 Oscars. There's no CAP there. Sallys bombed Indian troops afterwards.

B-17s bombed Yenan's airfield, doing moderate damage. No CAP.

The enemy barely (243 to 121) gets a 2-1 attack near Wuchow. The Chinese HQ retreats to the east, but the infantry stands its ground. 624 enemy casualties and 323 Chinese. The supply line to the enemy is cut now.

The ongoing pummeling of the fleeing Burma troops is, ongoing. A 1 to 1 attack causes 776 Burma troops lost, with only 140 Japanese casualties.

American troops in action!

Ground combat at Ndeni (120,143)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1021 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 43

Defending force 420 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16

Allied adjusted assault: 16

Japanese adjusted defense: 13

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
33 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Raider Battalion

Defending units:
6th Indpt SNLF Coy

Enemy combat ships spotted at Tulagi. I expect Ndeni to be bombarded soon to try and help the enemy troops. The Marines are ordered to attack again.

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Post #: 335

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/13/2018 1:52:35 AM

Bif1961

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From: Phenix City, Alabama
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I will have to try that next time, either as the Allies or the Japanese and see how it turns out.

< Message edited by Bif1961 -- 8/13/2018 1:57:17 AM >

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Post #: 336

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/13/2018 1:59:12 AM

apbarog

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Sorry I wasn't clear Bif1961. What I meant to say was that if the Japanese moved into Bandoeng from every direction, they would then control those hexsides. The Dutch could not move out of the hex in any direction unless they defeated whatever the Japanese leave in Bandoeng. So I'd leave enough to withstand any possible attack, and I consider that to be less than a division. You wouldn't have to keep units in the hexes around Bandoeng. You control the hexsides and the Dutch are trapped.

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Post #: 337

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/13/2018 6:51:32 AM

apbarog

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18 Apr 42

South of Milne Bay, Dutch sub KXI is spotted by a combat task force with cruisers Chikuma and Abukuma and 6 destroyers seen. The sub is hit by a depth charge and has moderate damage, and will head to Townsville for patching up and then to Brisbane for complete repairs. If this task force does not have carriers, it's interesting to see it south of Milne Bay, in a forward guarding position, if that is what it is doing.

The Japanese sweep Dacca in India for the first time. I'd withdrawn my fighters from Chittagong, but there were still 12 Hurricane IIb's at Dacca. About 40 Oscars sweep at 23,000 feet. The Hurris are flying CAP at 11,000 feet. I expected a slaughter but results were 4 Oscars lost for the cost of 2 Hurris. Today I move 2 P-40E squadrons to Chittagong, trying to guess that an attack could be flown to there today.

Catalinas have completed flying everything out of Wake Island that can be moved by plane. There's very little combat value left. Newly converted sub transports are on the way with supply, to keep the coastal guns operational even if there aren't any troops on the beach to protect them.

The big enemy stack near Yenan attacks, with expected results. Northern China is in trouble. Most Chinese are falling back to hold some type of defense, but some are staying forward in order to cut supply lines and make this huge stack break up to protect multiple locations.

Ground combat at 87,38 (near Yenan)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 47102 troops, 378 guns, 79 vehicles, Assault Value = 1450

Defending force 14686 troops, 84 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 292

Japanese adjusted assault: 1561

Allied adjusted defense: 189

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
536 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 134 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
5556 casualties reported
Squads: 309 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 183 destroyed, 90 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 36 (25 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Units retreated 5

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
110th Division
12th Tank Regiment
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
13th Indpt Infantry Regiment
Mongol Garrison Army
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
19th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
13th Group Army
18th Group Army

Near Wuchow, the enemy also attacks and gets better odds than yesterday, but oddly terrible results. The enemy is cut from their supply, but lack of supply is not noted.

Ground combat at 77,56 (near Wuchow)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12243 troops, 104 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 316

Defending force 5334 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 110

Japanese adjusted assault: 414

Allied adjusted defense: 127

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
607 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 53 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
104th Division

Defending units:
62nd Chinese Corps

In Burma, the survivors of the Burma defense get hit again, with over 2200 casualties. The retreat is a bit more favorable, but an escape to China is not going to happen. At least it's taking time and supply to chase down the remnants.

At Ndeni, the Marines get another 1 to 1 attack. The Japanese take 55 casualties while the Marines take none. 2 enemy ships arrive during the daylight, and there is no bombardment nor landing of additional troops. I expect that they are there to evacuate the rest of the 6th Indpt SNLF Coy. PT boats based at Luganville don't have enough fuel to go to Ndeni and back, but I move them to within 4 hexes of Ndeni today, and if there's a reason to go to Ndeni after that, they will and will do so at night.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/13/2018 10:11:37 PM

apbarog

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19 Apr 42

The enemy finishes clearing the mines at the entrance to Rangoon.

TF 210 encounters mine field at 54,54

Japanese Ships
PB Yamabato Maru
PB Shonan Maru #8
xAK Zyuyo Maru, Mine hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

4 mines cleared

Sinking audio is heard.

Some Allied bombers are hitting enemy troops in northern China. They haven't run into any fighters so far. B-17s target Yenan today, hoping to discourage its use as a forward airbase.

Bettys bomb Wake Island almost every day now. Wake is now barely manned and out of supply, with 2 sub transports on the way with supply. It's interesting that SigInt today says that the Guard Mixed Brigade is preparing for Wake Island. Allied combat value at Wake is now less than 10, so that unit would be quite the overkill. I expect the kitchen sink to be thrown at Wake when the enemy attacks, since the first attack failed. That's why I've pretty much left.

And another enemy attempt at Bandoeng. If this keeps up, the Dutch are going to win the war on their own.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 35204 troops, 517 guns, 248 vehicles, Assault Value = 900

Defending force 23637 troops, 229 guns, 76 vehicles, Assault Value = 458

Japanese adjusted assault: 463

Allied adjusted defense: 766

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
3306 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 114 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 79 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 17 (4 destroyed, 13 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
557 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 55 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 16 (3 destroyed, 13 disabled)

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Post #: 339

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/14/2018 10:12:34 PM

apbarog

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20 Apr 42

Near Tavoy, sub Trusty fired 2 torpedoes at destroyer Yukikaze. Both miss. It's a big task force, with seaplane carriers Chiyoda and Chitose, a few cruisers and a bunch of destroyers. No carriers spotted, but they could be there. Immediately after this, Trusty is hit by a depth charge from destroyer Suzukaze. Trusty has moderate damage and will retire to Colombo.

2 P-40E squadrons swept Akyab from Chittagong. The first sweep goes better for the defending Oscars. The second sweep goes better for the Warhawks. Total losses are 17 Oscars and 14 Warhawks. Not really good enough for the Allies at this point in the war, with limited aircraft pools.

Horn Island is invaded by the Japanese and captured. 6 inch coastal guns do well, getting 4 hits on light cruiser Tatsuta, 2 hits on light cruiser Tenryu (on fire), and 2 hits on destroyer Yugure (on fire). The assaulting troops are 1/3 of the 4th Infantry Division which is at Port Moresby.

This has some meaning for me. If an invasion of Australia was imminent, I'd think that the 4th Division would have been kept together for that, not split up to take Horn Island. Just a theory.

The BFF Brigade in Burma is eliminated near Lashio. The 1st Burma Division is still on the run but won't get away.

Just 2 days left for the Allied fleet to mostly come out of refit at Auckland. Just 3 light cruisers will have a few days left there then. I'd like to reinforce Luganville and Ndeni but I don't want to draw down the defense on New Caledonia. Not yet. It's still early. At some point I'll replace the divisions on New Caledonia with brigades and regiments, maybe Australian units. But I need to know that Australia will not be invaded, and I don't know that yet.

I'm itching to get the Allied carriers into action, but I need to make it worthwhile. I think I've been getting a lot of benefit in keeping them hidden while they did refits. I can expect a belt of enemy subs in and south of the Solomons.

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Post #: 340

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/15/2018 8:31:48 PM

apbarog

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21 Apr 42

Enemy subchasers now patrol between Akyab and Rangoon. Dutch sub KXVI takes a minor hit and will go to Colombo for repairs.

I-168 spots US APDs returning from Ndeni. 2 torpedoes are fired at APD Kane but missed. Needed supply was delivered to Ndeni.

Oscars sweep Chittagong in force today, looking for the P-40s that swept Akyab from Chittagong yesterday. They were not there. Went to Calcutta to regroup.

Lots of bombing in Burma, hitting the Allied remnants. It's a bit amusing to watch the show in Burma now. Enemy units are moving all over the roads and trails around the 1st Burma Division, moving to cut them off from escape and supply. It's a slow and tedious process that will succeed but is taking a lot of effort and time.

At Tsiaotso in eastern China, I've had a few infantry corps and a HQ. The enemy is strong here too, but the terrain is wooded rough and the Chinese are behind level 4 forts. I need to evacuate the hex because of the issues just to the north by Yenan. I decided to not evacuate everything at once, but to leave one corp there and try to entice OPilot to attack. I don't know if I left enough to defend successfully. I'm not a bean counter when it comes to combat values. But with the defensive bonuses, I think that the enemy will take losses. Now to see if OPilot takes the bait. Here's what's there now:

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 30535 troops, 237 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 961

Defending force 9797 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 250

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

Assaulting units:
69th Division
41st Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
27th Chinese Corps

If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't.

Tomorrow the US Navy is ready to roll. Whether or not it gets orders to remains to be seen.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/17/2018 4:17:30 AM

apbarog

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22 Apr 42

The usual enemy bombings: Manila, Jolo, 1st Burma Division, Tsiatotso, Hengyang, Bandoeng, Padang, Bataan, Wake Island, Darwin. Hundreds of bomber sorties everyday, but nothing much to worry about really.

In response, 3 B-17s fly from Charter Towers to hit Horn Island's port. Ships were spotted there yesterday. One bomb hits light cruiser Tenryu and another hits destroyer Yugure. Yugure is reported to be on fire with heavy damage. The ships were damaged by coastal guns during the troop landings. 6 LB-30s then hit Horn Island's airfield, doing minimal damage.

The enemy does another bombardment attack at Tsiaotso, not trying a deliberate attack against the reduced number of defenders.

At Bandoeng, I see more units inbound from Batavia. More enemy about to be lost.

Allied carriers form up at Auckland and head north. The priority is reinforcing Luganville and Ndeni, but they'll be looking for targets of opportunity, and hoping not to be spotted until I want them to.

The biggest threat is subs. I doubt that the carriers will get from Auckland to the Solomons Islands without being spotted. Let's hope they get there without sub attacks.

The 5 AO's spotted at Shortlands make a nice target. This isn't the first time I've seen AO's there. I'll try to sneak a surface group into Shortlands. If that doesn't happen, it could be a good place to send the carriers.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/17/2018 12:45:16 PM

Macclan5

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quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

This has some meaning for me. If an invasion of Australia was imminent, I'd think that the 4th Division would have been kept together for that, not split up to take Horn Island. Just a theory.

I can expect a belt of enemy subs in and south of the Solomons.

Thanks again - great AAR - and great insights for us rookies.

Hmm so any thoughts Supreme Commander ?

April 42.

Coral Sea is looking locked down with Horn and Port Moresby tidied up. You have Ndeni but undeveloped.

Burma is looking locked down with 1st Burma Div in flight and Air punches over Chittatong / Akylab.

China is what it is but the march to Sian and turning the corner on the North is a possibility.

This looks like "Historic expansion" version 1.0005 with the messy parts corrected.

I cannot recall your opponent (OJ) in other AARs so I am at disadvantage. Some Japanese players have tendencies I am beginning to recognize.

Any activity out Midway ? Baker ? Canton ? Ceylon ?

The missing KB is what we are all waiting for I assume.

_____________________________

A People that values its privileges above it's principles will soon loose both. Dwight D Eisenhower.

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Post #: 343

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/17/2018 5:25:18 PM

apbarog

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Thanks Macclan5.

I could go on the offensive in the Solomons, but I'd have to use units that are currently defending, and I still don't know OPilot's intentions. He could be about done in the Coral Sea and setting up defensively. Or he could have bigger plans that I haven't seen yet. I don't have a lot to work with yet. 2nd Marine Division is at Koumac and Americal Division is at Noumea. Both are prepped for defending those. I do have a division at Christmas Island that is prepping for Tabiteuea, and some units prepping for Tarawa. I still own Tabiteuea and I'd like to develop it as a big base. It can hold multiple divisions and is a good staging base for the southern Marshalls. Those 2 might be the next semi-offensive move.

It's important to go on the offensive in more than one area. KB can't be everywhere. Pressure on the Solomons while hitting Tarawa and threatening north is my current thinking.

I've almost abandoned Wake Island. Midway isn't garrisoned nearly as strong as Wake was. OPilot's failure at Wake will probably prevent him from wanting to do another island invasion, so I may or may not reinforce Midway. I just don't think he's coming that way. I have a regiment at Johnston Island that is being pulled back to Pearl Harbor, and will be replaced with the one that came from Wake. The Johnston Island regiment is part of the division that starts at Pearl Harbor, and is prepping for Tarawa.

Baker has Catalinas and no defense. Canton has minimal defenders and Catalinas. Ceylon has a pretty strong defense. It would take a lot to take it down.

As for carriers, I'll take a fight with KB now if it is near my airbases. 5 US carriers and 2 British carriers can put a dent into KB. The drawbacks are no TBFs yet, and just Prince of Wales for battleship support to soak up bombs. The Japanese have a big advantage keeping BBs with KB for that purpose. So the odds aren't even but my losses will be more than replaced. We'll see what happens.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/17/2018 7:17:41 PM

apbarog

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It will be important that when I go on the offensive, OPilot knows that I'm doing so, and it forces him to think defensively. Getting the Japanese opponent out of the mindset of being able to go anywhere they want is important. Doing it as early as possible is the goal. When that happens, all of those behind-the-line defenders become available for attack. You just have to be careful. A Japanese player may not think what you want them to, as fast as you want them to, but that's my goal.

Tabiteua and Tarawa won't be a big shift to the offensive. A bit of nibbling at the edges. Going to Lunga and Tulagi will probably be the first big jump. If OPilot doesn't go south toward Luganville/New Caledonia, the battle with KB could take place in the Solomons.

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Post #: 345

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/17/2018 11:43:23 PM

apbarog

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23 Apr 42

Sub Searaven fired 2 torpedoes at xAKL Totai Maru near Bassein. Both missed. There have been regular xAKL runs from Rangoon to Akyab.

Near Horn Island, Stingray spots damaged CL Tenryu headed east towards Port Moresby. 4 torpedoes are fired, and one hits, but it is a dud. Immediately, Stingray reattacks, and fires 4 more torpedoes at Tenryu. Again one hits. And again it is a dud.

3 B-17s and 6 LB-30s again bomb Horn Island's port and airfield. Damage is minimal. The damaged ships had left, as we saw with Tenryu. The badly damaged destroyer may have sunk.

This was a big organizational turn. Shipping was ordered for landings at Tabiteuea and Tarawa. Most of the troops for Tabiteuea are at Christmas Island, and most of the Tarawa troops are at Pearl Harbor. Ships for both leave San Francisco. I will be using APs instead of xAPs for the Tarawa landing. I hope for a quick landing and leaving of the area by the APs. Carriers will support, after the current Solomons activity.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/18/2018 8:58:34 PM

apbarog

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24 Apr 42

Enemy patrol boats are looking for my subs near Milne Bay. S-23 elects not to engage one.

Near Phuket, Dutch sub KIX fired 2 torpedoes at a patrol boat, but missed.

If you want a job done, give it to a sub with working torpedoes. S-34 was orders to patrol the western approach to Port Moresby, and it found damaged light cruiser Tenryu coming from Horn Island. 4 torpedoes are fired and 2 hit. One is a dud, but the other was apparently enough to sink the ship, with sinking audio heard right after combat.

Pare Pare on Celebes is invaded.

Over 100 bombers hit the 1st Burma Division.

OPilot tries again at Bandoeng. (Is this 5 or 6 tries?) Lots of enemy losses, but the Dutch losses increase significantly, with some squads destroyed now. Repeated quick enemy attacks will take the base, but at added cost to the Japanese. I can't be happier with how the Bandoeng defense has gone.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31280 troops, 488 guns, 260 vehicles, Assault Value = 730

Defending force 23546 troops, 225 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 446

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 333

Allied adjusted defense: 769

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2007 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 42 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1170 casualties reported
Squads: 29 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

In the contested hex in the jungle on the trail just south of Chittagong, the Japanese conduct their first artillery attack. It goes badly. The Allies will respond with their own artillery attack today.

Ground combat at 56,42 (near Chittagong)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 12795 troops, 178 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 426

Defending force 10375 troops, 193 guns, 306 vehicles, Assault Value = 388

Japanese ground losses:
283 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
56th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
114th Infantry Regiment
18th Mountain Gun Regiment
25th Army
3rd Mortar Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
51st Field AA Battalion

Defending units:
7th Armoured Brigade
18th Australian Brigade
36th Indian Brigade
2/11th Fld RAA Regiment
20th Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

The US 2nd Marine Division, guarding Koumac, is ordered to begin preparing for Lunga. Americal Division, at Noumea, may go to Tulagi at some point. Americal is still training and won't start prepping for awhile.

Philippine PT boats Q111 and Q112, heroes of the Philippine campaign, arrive at Melboure for repairs. They will then go to northeastern Australia, and they shall return.

Allied cruisers were spotted southwest of Shortlands and abort their mission to go there. At least there weren't Bettys in the area. Allied carriers are not spotted leaving New Zealand.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/19/2018 6:33:55 AM

apbarog

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25 Apr 42

A sad day.

Near Auckland, destroyer Le Triomphant had just left port, and was heading northeast towards Suva. The destroyer had been ordered to get into position for a raid of Ocean Island. But during the night, I-18 spotted the ship and fired 4 torpedoes. 2 hit and the ship sank almost immediately. I've discussed Le Triomphant before. It is one of my favorite ships and I know that some of you think the same. It's one of the fastest, has more firepower than most destroyers, and has a good crew at the start of the war. She will be missed. It's good work by the enemy, hitting such a fast ship. Patrols around Auckland are immediately increased. You could look at it like I'm fortunate that it was a destroyer and not one of the carriers that just left port a few days ago.

Near Karachi, I-32 is spotted by KV Fritillary which is escorting tankers to and from Abadan. The sub escapes. This is the first time enemy subs have been seen near Karachi. Again, patrols are raised.

Near Tavoy, sub Permit fired 2 torpedoes at I-154 but missed.

1st Burma Division is bombed again. 5 Anns, 20 Sonias, 18 Anns, 22 Sallys and 31 Sallys today. Someday the Allied air forces will look like this.

Darwin is swept by Zeros but no Bettys attack. I suspect that the Bettys went to Port Moresby or to the Solomons, in reaction to spotting my cruisers south of Shortlands.

Dutch sub KIX hit PB Isshin Maru near Phuket. There was a massive explosion, sinking the ship.

Near Chittagong, we do an artillery attack, just to see how it goes. It goes well, and with the chance to gain experience for some untrained units, we'll continue.

Ground combat at 56,42 (near Chittagong)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10398 troops, 192 guns, 306 vehicles, Assault Value = 387

Defending force 16656 troops, 201 guns, 166 vehicles, Assault Value = 411

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

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

Surplus oil has now run out in Australia. This isn't a big deal, but I thought I'd mention it as it highlights just how much oil was extracted from Borneo and Java and sent to Australia. It's the end of April 1942.

The US 32 Infantry Division forms up in San Francisco. It is ordered to the East Coast where it will ship off to Capetown. This will make 2 regiments and a division on the way there.

Maximum air effort against Akyab today. Sweepers, torpedo bombers going after cargo ships, escorts, bombers for the airfield and port. Could be a great day or a disaster, depending on who flys first.

I will now mourn Le Triomphant as I wait for the next turn tomorrow. Wound my heart with a monotonous languor. Oh wait, that's another story.

< Message edited by apbarog -- 8/19/2018 6:34:29 AM >

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Post #: 348

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/19/2018 12:15:36 PM

Lowpe

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Joined: 2/25/2013
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quote:

ORIGINAL: apbarog

Near Auckland, destroyer Le Triomphant had just left port, and was heading northeast towards Suva. The destroyer had been ordered to get into position for a raid of Ocean Island. But during the night, I-18 spotted the ship and fired 4 torpedoes. 2 hit and the ship sank almost immediately. I've discussed Le Triomphant before. It is one of my favorite ships and I know that some of you think the same. It's one of the fastest, has more firepower than most destroyers, and has a good crew at the start of the war. She will be missed.

I agree, a great ship! She is vulnerable to Iboats...even more so if she was in a single ship task force.

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Post #: 349

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/20/2018 12:40:50 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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26 Apr 42

The enemy bombards Wake Island again.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Apr 26, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Wake Island at 136,98

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Haruna

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 8
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 3

Troop losses are light because there aren't many still there. There was fewer than 100 points of supply there, and that was destroyed. 2 SSTs are there unloading now. Unloading is slow with a badly damaged port. I want just enough to keep the coastal guns going if there is another invasion. On the way out of Wake, sub Cuttlefish spotted the battleships and fired 4 torpedoes at Kirishima, but missed.

My plan for Akyab mostly worked. Warhawks swept first, finding just a dozen Oscars. OPilot had assigned other Oscars to sweep and escort bombers to the contested hex south of Chittagong. Blens and Hudsons then attacked the airbase at Akyab, without escorts, but there was no CAP left at that point. Damaged was very minimal. Unfortunately there were severe storms over the target. Blens and Wellingtons then joined in, and again did minimal airfield damage. Wirraways did low level bombing in the contested hex, because, why not. Something for them to do. Total air losses were 8 Oscars, 4 P-40Es, and 3 Vildebeests.

Ships were spotted at Akyab, but the torpedo bombers didn't fly until the afternoon. This allowed a couple of Oscars to go on CAP. 12 Vildebeests, 11 Vildebeests, 8 Swordfish, and 6 Vildebeests attacked TBs and xAKLs at Akyab. 3 xAKLs were sunk. They were hit by more torpedoes than necessary, as the groups either hit with everything or missed with everything. So the only flaw in the plan was limited rewards.

Padang on Sumatra is invaded.

The 1st Burma Division is brutally attacked again. It managed to retreat with almost no combat value left. It won't get away as it is still on a trail.

Enemy units are spotted showing movement to cross the river south of Imphal. 1/3 of a Chinese corp is at that hex, a dot base, and the enemy sees it and is coming anyway. I won't be able to reinforce before a crossing. I don't want to commit the British to the jungle south of Imphal, but it may come to that.

Allied carriers will rendezvous with AOs between Noumea and Brisbane. They'll wait there for a bit and see if anything interesting is spotted in the Solomons. When the Ndeni and Luganville reinforcements approach, the carriers will protect those landings with a forward sweeping defense, getting between the bases and the Solomons. It's all good as long as the carriers haven't been spotted, and so far, they haven't.

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Post #: 350

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/21/2018 1:58:49 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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27 Apr 42

Yesterday an enemy sub showed up near Karachi. I sent some MLs out on ASW patrol, and they found I-32 and hit the sub with 2 depth charges. It's a long way home for the sub, so it may not survive.

Destroyer Perkins finds 2 mines at Isle of Pines, just south of Noumea. This is a high traffic area. I'm lucky that Perkins found the mines. These were the last 2 mines left. A small minesweeper working at Noumea is ordered to include Isle of Pines in its patrol.

50 Sallys with 42 Oscars hit Dacca's airfield, doing moderate damage. Most of the planes had left, and none were damaged.

Then I made a mistake. I had big strikes on Akyab, and reset the bombers (and moved them) from Chittagong and Dacca. I forgot that I had longer ranged bombers set to hit Akyab coming from Calcutta. They flew to Calcutta again today, without escorts, and got chewed up by about 30 Oscars there. Lost 15 Blens, 12 Hudsons, and 7 Wellingtons. No matter how good you think you are with attention to detail, the game will humble you, and you will make a mistake here and there.

S-42 moved to Ocean Island. I'd seen some xAKs there. It found xAK Borneo Maru but missed it with 2 torpedoes. It will try again today.

Bandoeng. Another enemy attack. Another strong showing by the Dutch.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29033 troops, 488 guns, 248 vehicles, Assault Value = 652

Defending force 23032 troops, 225 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

Japanese adjusted assault: 409

Allied adjusted defense: 847

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2100 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 150 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 20 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 15 (2 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (4 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
258 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 30 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (6 destroyed, 8 disabled)

OPilot has been frustrated with Bandoeng. I almost feel guilty with this mountain defense; it is working so well. He needs to change his approach but he is determined to conquer the base, not isolate it.

I've increased activity in the Coral Sea.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/22/2018 1:02:51 AM

apbarog

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28 Apr 42

Dutch sub O16 fired 2 torpedoes at a patrol boat west of Truk but missed.

Near Georgetown, Dutch sub O20 fired 2 torpedoes at PB Bisan Maru #3. One hit, and the PB is sunk.

Near Tavoy, Dutch sub KXVIII spots a big convoy headed to Rangoon. xAPs and xAKs spotted with destroyer Yugumo escorting. 4 torpedoes are fired at xAP Kanzyu Maru. 3 hit and the nice-sized transport is sunk. There were troops aboard. Non-combat and engineers lost. Then in the afternoon, KXVIII spots an xAKL task force and torpedoes xAKL Biyo Maru twice, sinking that ship also. Quite a day for KXVIII and the Dutch subs in general. KXVIII already had a probable kill on an xAK near Tavoy in February.

Enemy air attacks Chittagong in bad weather. I got lucky moving P-40s in.

Afternoon Air attack on Chittagong , at 55,41

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 75 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 16
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 42

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 44

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 6 destroyed (Actual losses are 16)

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed (Actual losses are 4)

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Action in the Solomons upcoming.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/22/2018 8:14:38 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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29 Apr 42

In the Malaccan straits northwest of Singapore, heavy cruiser Suzuya hits a recently laid sub mine. No damage or fire is noted. It's probably just a minor inconvenience, with Singapore so close. But it will have to abort its mission and go there.

US carriers launch a small strike for a small target at Tulagi. There is ranged CAP from Lunga.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tulagi at 114,137

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 45
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed (Actual losses are 4)

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
DD Kiku, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tsuga, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Bombing was not accurate in severe storms.

Another month is ending. TBFs will start to appear in May, but it will take months to replace all of the TBDs.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/23/2018 7:41:09 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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30 Apr 42

Having had a cruiser hit a mine northwest of Singapore, enemy DMS show up and start sweeping the offending minefield.

At Ndeni, a few xAPs are unloading a US Marine defense battalion. Light cruiser Adelaide and destroyer Perkins are escorting. I-173 finds the ships and fires 4 torpedoes at Adelaide. All miss, which is more luck than usual, as Adelaide is a slow cruiser. Perkins goes after the sub and hits it with a depth charge and some near misses, using up all of its depth charges. 2 destroyers are detached from the Lunga bombardment force and sent to Ndeni to guard the xAPs.

Speaking of which, Lunga is bombarded.

Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed on ground

Allied Ships
CA Canberra
CA Australia
CL Hobart
CL Achilles
CL Leander

Japanese ground losses:
246 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Airbase hits 4
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 13
Port hits 11
Port supply hits 1

It's an ok bombardment for some cruisers. Lots of enemy ground losses, which means lots of enemy ground personnel there. 3 Zeros are actual losses on the ground. Most of the ships will retire to Noumea. I will be sending some AKEs and/or AEs there. (Meant to do that today and forgot. Tomorrow)

Oscars sweep Chittagong and bombers with Oscars escorts bomb the airfield, doing moderate damage but almost all is repaired by day.

I'd left a Chinese corp at Tsiaotso in China to bait an attack into level 4 forts. Today the attack occurred. The Chinese did ok.

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30529 troops, 237 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 960

Defending force 9881 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 255

Japanese adjusted assault: 572

Allied adjusted defense: 499

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
763 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
711 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Assaulting units:
41st Division
69th Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
27th Chinese Corps

The 27th Chinese Corps is withdrawing to the northwest, slowly, in combat mode. It may get pummeled before that can happen, but it looks like the enemy will take some losses doing so.

Troops are unloading at Ndeni and approaching Luganville. Allied carriers were not spotted today northwest of Luganville, in bad weather. They will move a bit east to the north of Luganville to guard the landings. There's little enemy activity in the Solomons. Some patrol boats. Heavy SigInt at Truk. Lots of Allied subs north and south of the Solomons and no detection levels. Only near Truk and Kwajalein.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 354

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/24/2018 6:47:39 AM

apbarog

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1 May 42

Sub Shark missed destroyer Karukaya with 4 torpedoes near Tavoy.
Destroyer Patterson found I-169 at Ndeni but couldn't hit it.

A first, night bombing of Calcutta. I was ready, though, and had 12 Buffaloes up and they intercepted the Sallys. 6 Sallys were lost: 4 downed by flak and 2 downed by Buffaloes. I know what's coming. OPilot has seen how many planes I have at Calcutta, and he will certainly bombard it with cruisers. I don't have a lot I can do about it. Ships are too vulnerable there. I will drop mines at Diamond Harbor, but there won't be many and are only good for a short period of time.

Enemy battleships hit Chittagong. I never see these guys on the way in.

Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Lysander II: 1 damaged
Lysander II: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso
CL Natori

Allied ground losses:
272 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 57 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 15 (5 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (4 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Resources hits 1
Manpower hits 3
Fires 1915
Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 40
Port hits 8
Port fuel hits 4

I had some mines just south of Chittagong but they weren't hit.

An enemy infantry division is showing movement northeast towards Ledo. Troops are ordered to Ledo and to get into the jungle and defend the approach.

Dutch sub fired 2 torpedoes at destroyer Hatsuyuki near Phuket. This looks like the task force that had a cruiser hit a mine closer to Singapore. I wonder if this will be the Calcutta bombardment group.

B-26s go after the big enemy troop stack but find more Oscars this time. The Hurri sweep did not take place. 4 B-26s are lost.

No enemy activity seen in the Solomons. Unloading continues at Ndeni and Luganville. Carriers will move north to near Ndeni to cover the ships there today.

Some long range planning done. Units begin to prep for other targets and bases to garrison: Baker, Canton Island, Nauru, Lunga, Tulagi, Kusaie Island, Milne Bay, Port Moresby, Tagula. Too soon to know what will really go where, but I'll be looking at options. My gut feeling is that the Japanese hammer is still to fall, and that it will fall in India/Ceylon. If it does, everything in the South Pacific will accelerate.

A look at Northern China.

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RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/24/2018 12:20:41 PM

zuluhour

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From: Maryland
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Very interesting to read and watch, I look forward to watching the China thing develop as well
as your pesky intent in the south Pacific. Kudos thus far from the peanut gallery.

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Post #: 356

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/25/2018 5:51:25 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
Status: offline

2 May 42

Off the Burma coast near Ramree Island, Dutch sub KVIII spots the retiring battleship force that hit Chittagong. 2 torpedoes are fired at destroyer Satsuki but missed.

Near Fanning Island, I-15 is in a busy shipping lane and OPilot may know it by now. It spotted a supply convoy and fired 2 torpedoes at xAK Modjokerto but missed. Destroyer Mustin hit the sub with a depth charge. Routing is changed for other convoys coming through the area.

Near Ponape on the route from Truk, Dutch sub KXVII spotted xAK Kuretake Maru and hit it with a torpedo. Sinking audio is heard much later in the day, and was probably this ship.

The usual bombing in China and the Philippines and at Bandoeng. Note that I am not dismissing these daily attacks. They do help deplete my supply if nothing else. Luzon now has several bases in the yellow for supply. China is on the edge of having yellow markers also. Remember that I shipped over 20,000 supply from Manila to Pakhoi China. If I hadn't, China would already be in dire straits, and the Philippines would be doing better but still in a lost cause. OPilot has troops just south of Manila, waiting. No doubt waiting for supply to dry up and make conquest that much easier. It will work.

Tsiaotso in China is lost. I guess my plan of baiting an attack worked to some degree. There were some enemy casualties. I hoped for that and for holding the base, though.

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 29849 troops, 237 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 888

Defending force 8927 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 136

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 461

Allied adjusted defense: 103

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
907 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 171 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2287 casualties reported
Squads: 124 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 115 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
69th Division
41st Division
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
27th Chinese Corps

I've had SigInt that the Guard Mixed Brigade was planning for Wake Island. Today I got the message that a fragment of that brigade is still planning for Wake. The unit is now loaded on ships (most probably) and either headed to a staging base for Wake or to Wake directly.

This is somewhat similar to the real life intel on the invasion of Midway. We know they are coming. If my carriers were in Hawaii, I may have tried a Midway-like ambush. But being down near Luganville, there's no fast way to the area. And unlike a real life Midway, we don't know "when". The enemy could be loading in Japan right now, or could be one day out from landing at Wake. I did consider if getting there was feasible though.

Instead, Allied carriers are going to leave Luganville and head east and go to a point northeast of Suva. They will rendezvous with 2 AOs and top off the tanks again, and be ready to support landings at a friendly but ungarrisoned and undeveloped Tabiteuea. This will take awhile to set up. Most of the APs for it are approaching Hawaii loaded with supply for Pearl Harbor, and will then travel to Christmas Island to load up troops. All of the troops are at Christmas.

(in reply to zuluhour)

Post #: 357

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/25/2018 6:44:47 PM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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3 May 42

Pamekasan, just northeast of Soerabaja, is invaded.

South of Port Moresby, APDs are sighted. A squadron of SB2U-3 Vindicators has been set for naval attack from Cairns. The squadron had seen some action at Darwin earlier.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Port Moresby at 98,133

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Allied aircraft
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 16

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD Shimakaze
APD Numakaze, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Nadakaze

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

The APDs aren't seen at Port Moresby or Horn Island afterwards. They went to one or the other.

Sawahloento on Sumatra is lost. This is part of the enemy's final cleanup of Sumatra.

Allied carriers slipped away from Ndeni unseen. The ships unloading at Ndeni will halt unloading today and unload the bit that's left at Luganville. That will eventually be shipped into Ndeni on smaller and less valuable shipping.

I'd mentioned the Guard Mixed Brigade prepping for Wake Island. Today I got more information, and the unit is loaded on an AMC and headed for Truk. This tells me that a Wake Island invasion is still coming but isn't imminent. Not if this brigade is still really going there.

(in reply to BBfanboy)

Post #: 358

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/26/2018 7:05:25 AM

apbarog

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Joined: 5/23/2002
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4 May 42

Sub Seal fired 2 torpedoes at a patrol boat near Port Blair but missed.

26 Oscars swept Dimapur, finding 16 Hurricane IIb's. The Oscars got the better of the combat but came off worse with the ops losses. Total losses were 10 Oscars and 5 Hurricanes. 15 Sallys with 31 Oscars followed, hitting the airfield. Minimal damage in thunderstorms.

I tried a Hurricane sweep and bombers hitting troops near Sian. What I got was the bombers bombing first, doing no damage and losing 4 Hudsons, then a fragment of 2 Hurricanes sweeping finding 3 Oscars, then the rest of the Hurricanes sweeping finding no Oscars. Then B-26s bombing and finding 3 Oscars. Did hit some troops this time.

Pamekasan in Java is lost.

Mixing things up in Burma. All 3 Flying Tiger squadrons deploy to Chittagong. 2 squadrons will sweep Akyab, the other will sweep Magwe. 2 B-17 squadrons will hit Magwe's airfield. I know that Magwe is being used heavily, and I haven't paid any attention to it so far, not even with recon. Maybe I'll catch some bombers on the ground there.

Troops for Tarawa are all loading at Pearl Harbor. They will all go to Christmas Island, which will temporarily overstack that base by quite a bit. But then the transports will immediately pick up about an equal number of troops for Tabiteuea. I will occupy Tabiteuea first and have the transports go back to Christmas and then decide whether to go to Tarawa immediately or wait. 2 slow US battleships and Warspite are leaving Pearl Harbor for Christmas Island also. They would be used at Tarawa.

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Post #: 359

RE: Did You Know I Used to Drive a Rollercoaster?: Apba... - 8/26/2018 8:20:25 PM

apbarog

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5 May 42

I picked the wrong day to deploy all of the AVG to Chittagong. OPilot has been bombarding Chittagong with battleships, but the turnaround for them is long. I don't know where they are rearming, but it isn't at Rangoon. Today cruisers bombarded, and again I didn't see them coming.

Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 24 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed on ground (9 actually lost between this and bombing)
Catalina I: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Kumano
CA Mikuma
CA Mogami
CL Kashii

Allied ground losses:
575 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (5 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Light Industry hits 2
Manpower hits 1
Fires 365
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 30
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1

A good bombardment for a bunch of cruisers. They did encounter the small minefield south of Chittagong, but didn't hit any. At least the base is on the rail line. AVG squadrons fly out what they can and rail out the rest back to Calcutta to recover.

To make it worse, Oscars swept and then bombers hit the airfield.

Depleted AVG squadrons carried on with their assigned sweeps of Akyab and Magwe. Akyab went poorly, with 9 more Warhawks lost and 8 Oscars downed. Magwe was not defended, and B-17s did some minor airfield damage and destroyed 1 Sally on the ground.

Allied carriers will meet up with AOs northeast of Suva today. Shipping on the move to Christmas Island for the upcoming Tabiteuea and Tarawa operations.

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Post #: 360

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