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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> After Action Reports >> Three fizzles...

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Three fizzles... - 3/18/2005 2:43:44 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

Well, the "fireworks" that I was hoping for on August 5 didn't pan out.

First off, Karachi got rained on and as usual my pilots believe that they are "made of sugar" and will "melt in the rain", so they didn't go out. This left only a handful of torpedo bombers to leave from Malir, only to find that PzB has put Zeros into Ahmadabad. Surprisingly, the Zeros didn't decimate my biplanes, so I count myself lucky. So for August 5 I set a bunch of serious bombers to hit Ahmadabad - hopefully they will launch this time.

The next surprise I was hoping to hit PzB with was equally feeble. I stuffed Soerabaja with bombers and fighters and set them to hit the transport ships nearby. Well, these guys did fly, but they hit almost nothing. That's the problem with trying to use "left overs" - these are still the Dutch and Brits who escaped from the DEI the first time. I've had them sitting in northern Oz, resting up and gaining replacements, but they can't hit the broad side of a barn. Fortunately, PzB did some major sweeps over bases where I had already pulled everyone out, so he wasted his time. I expect that he will plaster Soerabaja this time, but I'll let my fighters duke it out and take my chances. Afterwards I'll pull the survivors back to Oz for more replacements.

Finally, it appears that the cruisers that my patrols thought that they saw in the Southern Marshalls were part of a fast transport afterall. No one came "knocking", so my forces are sitting around disappointed. Oh well, it was a good drill. I'm going to leave the carrier TF putzing around the Gilberts for the next couple of days, just as a "demonstration" in order to give PzB something to think about. In the meanwhile I'm sending more forces into the Gilberts in order to build up more mutually-supporting bases.

Otherwise, it's back to the "plan" and moving forces, supplies and fuel to where I want them.

BTW - PzB is "sniffing around" for "intelligence". He asked me if I felt "secure" about Karachi. I replied that I wouldn't feel secure until I was bombing Japan, something that I was planning on doing sooner rather than later.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to Speedysteve)

Post #: 121

RE: Bombs away... - 3/18/2005 2:59:30 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

"1. Do you have any AK's especially any US AK's in Karachi or that can get there PT boats/ Barges will seriously blunt his bombardment runs (given the British could have diverted from the Med if India is this threatened I have no problem using US PT Boats from an AK) "

Yes, but for some reason PTs aren't "activated" there. I was able to activate them elsewhere, so thanks for the reminder.

"2. I hope most of your sub force is heading for Karachi to start sub mining operations in and around Karachi you want to slow down bombardment runs to leave him in range of your bombers. "

The sub force is in really bad shape. Almost all of them are seriously damaged. I've got a number of "floating wounded" doing picket duty between Karachi and Bombay. Once Karachi finally reaches a level 9 port I'll start to send them in for repairs and to reload them - most of them are also almost out of torpedos.

"3. Dont waste Beuforts at greater than range 4, dont you get Vengeance DBs soon also Range 4 shipkillers and dont B17's drop 1000 lbers at low range. "

I don't use 4-engine bombers against ships unless there is absolutely nothing else around. And I have hundreds of other bombers in Karachi/Malir so I can use the "big boys" for what they are really good at doing - closing air fields.

"4. Dont be afraid to use barges to blockade the port and divert his bombardment runs. (The RN and Army had an extensive Brown Water navy operating on the rivers so I again have no problem sacrificing them to slow the IJN bombardment runs.) "

Again, for some reason there are no barges available anywhere. PzB hasn't been trying to send bombardment TFs into Bombay - I have 4 surface combat TFs there, full of Brit cruisers and DDs, and even a Brit BB. And will all the anti-shipping air power I have there, it would be very expensive to try it on his part. He may well decide to go-for-broke at some point, but that will mean that my Pacific Fleet (which is more sizable than most folks realize, including PzB) will be able to do what it wants, where it wants.

"5. 25th Indian isnt far away cling on until it arrives and thats 300 assault pointds to help with the defence. "

That's what has surprised me about PzB's interest in chasing stragglers in NE India. My firepower has triple in the past two weeks, without even getting in any major units. I guess that he is planning on doing one last all-out assault, matched with an attempt to do an "end around".

"6. Karachi is a City Hex try and avoid fighting there but if you have to its gonna be a long fight even if the forts fall."

He will have to get through Malir first unless he sends everyone around the northern edge of the map. I'm also pulling troops back along that route, so I hope to be able to see if he tries that, as well as interfere with such a move. But eventually he will have to come to Karachi if he wants it, and I have hundreds of engineers, and hundreds of engineering vehicles which will be rebuilding forts as soon as he attacks them.

"7. Any units trapped in the south try to get em to coastal hexes and use subs to pick em up (especially base and engineering units that can rebuild in Karachi and help rebuild forts) "

PzB has been very good at isolating and trapping my troops to the south. The @#$%%^ movement rules (Mike Woods, are you listening to all the unhappy customers?) allow him to trap me with one lousy unit. It's pure garbage programming, but I have to live with it and I'm trying to do the same to him in various regions. (What a waste of gaming.

)

Thanks for the comments -

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to Andy Mac)

Post #: 122

RE: Bombs away... - 3/18/2005 3:02:53 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: toraq

Good points Andy Mac...I wonder where the he11 are those USN subs...they could play a major role if the japs decide to bomb that place with surface forces.

Oh gawd how I wish. The Allied sub fleet is a disaster with most of them badly damaged and nearly out of torpedos. And of course, there are no level 9 bases (yet) from Karachi to Southern Australia. There aren't even any AS ships around. So I'm stuck with using the subs as warning pickets. That's why I am trying to get Karachi to a level 9 port - this way I'll at least be able to reload the subs, even though they won't repair quickly there.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to toraq)

Post #: 123

RE: More Death from the Skies - 3/18/2005 3:04:28 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Speedy

David -

What reinforcements do you get in Karachi over the next couple of months (Air and Land i'm thinking of mainly)?

Regards,

Steven

I get a Brit Division in a week, and odds and ends over the next couple of months (mainly engineers). I don't get much in the way of additional air, but then I've got more air in place than my air fields can handle right now.

Thanks for the comments -

Dave

(in reply to Speedysteve)

Post #: 124

Some sizzle, some fizzle... - 3/18/2005 4:40:31 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

Well, the "sugar daddys" at Karachi deigned to get into their planes and fly, with some nice results, but only after the poor, tired Navy guys at Malir flew first:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 13
Wirraway x 8
Kittyhawk I x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 4 damaged
Wirraway: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
68 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 8

The "big boys" do much better:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 7
Beaufort I x 16
Beaufort V-IX x 26
P-40E Warhawk x 8
B-24D Liberator x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
236 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 55

Unfortunately (wisely?) PzB pulled his Zeros out of Ahmadabad before the posse could could around the bend. I'll send the big boys back in again to put the runways out of commission, but I'm going to rest the biplanes for a while.

In the meanwhile the rest of the Karachi crowd visited Bombay on schedule:

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 12
Wellington III x 45

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AP Nichiryo Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
407 casualties reported

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 6
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 1

So I'll keep attacking two directions for now. I'm not going to bother to send the B-24s to Delhi unless PzB becomes a pest from there.

Well, the Zeros were gone from Ahmadabad, but they were back in the Java region, hitting Soerabaja hard as I predicted. My bombers did catch a few retreating ships, but the damage was hardly worth the effort. I've pulled the long range bombers back to Oz for more rest and training. In the meanwhile I'm starting to get things set up for some "entertainment" in the Northern Australia region in a week or so.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 125

Torpedoes/Port Size - 3/18/2005 3:38:55 PM

Captain Cruft

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Joined: 3/17/2004
From: England
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You only need a size 8 port to re-load torpedoes. It's mines that need size 9.

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 126

RE: Torpedoes/Port Size - 3/19/2005 12:06:36 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

You only need a size 8 port to re-load torpedoes. It's mines that need size 9.

Ah, okay, great! I always mix up all those details. In any event, Karachi ought to be up to a level 9 port in another day anyway. Then the engineers should be able to quickly max out the airfields at 6 (they're about half way to 6 right now). Afterwards I'll move the engineers with equipment to Malir to speed things up there.

Thanks -

Dave

(in reply to Captain Cruft)

Post #: 127

Aug 7 - Bombs away... - 3/19/2005 12:07:36 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

The "big boys" visited Ahmadabad on August 7 and did their job very nicely:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad, at 24, 8

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2
Beaufort I x 15
Beaufort V-IX x 22
B-24D Liberator x 33

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 4 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
316 casualties reported
Guns lost 6
Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 99

This will keep the engineers in Ahmadabad busy for a while. Next turn I'll send the B-24s back to Bombay to keep the airfield there "under construction" too, although the tac bombers that I sent this turn did their jobs quite adequately:

Day Air attack on Bombay, at 20, 10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 46

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
366 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Runway hits 4
Port hits 4
Port supply hits 1

Java continues to be a mess for both sides, but that's okay - I want PzB to commit forces there. And he hasn't yet found the right combination to stop everything of mine. And while he is committed there, my guys say "hello" to other areas such as:

Day Air attack on TF, near Madang at 54,84

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 10

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
MSW Noshiro Maru #2
AP Seizan Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Miyadono Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

My other bomber groups are also getting regular practice at various locations such as:

Day Air attack on Buna, at 55, 90

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 7
Kittyhawk I x 8
B-26B Marauder x 9

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Runway hits 2

And:

Day Air attack on Lautem, at 33, 78

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 9
Hudson I x 13
B-25C Mitchell x 12

No Allied losses

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

And:

Day Air attack on Maloelap, at 82, 81

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-17E Fortress x 16

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
E13A1 Jake: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F-5A Lightning: 3 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 5 destroyed, 15 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 6

And:

Day Air attack on Koepang, at 28, 77

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 35

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 15

And:

Day Air attack on Amboina, at 39, 73

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 14

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Runway hits 11

The whole point of this is that while PzB is using most of his air force against ground targets in China and Java, I'm preparing the way for the areas where I want to go next. PzB has a tough decision - he can try to spread his air defences to cover all of the places where I am bombing, or he can focus on one or two "safer" areas, such as he is doing in China and Java, and let my other forces get practice on targets of strategic value to me.

PzB does seem to be taking my interest in the Marshalls more seriously. That "mystery" TF reappeared in the south, as did another in the north. Maybe he is moving troops and supplies in - maybe he is planning an attack. In any event, he is reacting to my moves, which is what I want. All the while I am increasing my forces in the region. When I move, PzB will know it.

And for all those fans of the DEI operations, things are underway to re-ignite activities there. I have targets in mind and forces on the way. Once again, it will be in due time - when I've got all the resources at hand to achieve what I want in a decisive manner.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 128

RE: Aug 7 - Bombs away... - 3/19/2005 7:33:21 PM

Central Blue

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Joined: 8/20/2004
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at the risk of rousing Toraq

What's up for Milne Bay? Dobadura? Land bases on New Guinea can support either the Central Pacific or the DEI. DEI are begining to take on a logic all their own the way thing are going. New Guinea is a mighty big aircraft carrier that can support operations in either direction.

No lectures about North Afrika or Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign from me. But... it's way too early to be dreaming of practicing Douhet on the Home Islands.

_____________________________

USS St. Louis firing on Guam, July 1944. The Cardinals and Browns faced each other in the World Series that year

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 129

RE: Three fizzles... - 3/19/2005 8:13:11 PM

EUBanana

Posts: 4552
Joined: 9/30/2003
From: Little England
Status: offline

gah

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 130

RE: Three fizzles... - 3/19/2005 9:00:33 PM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

gah

You lost me on that one EU - it's either too subtle or doesn't contain enough info.

Dave Baranyi

(Or are you refering to the pukey smiley?

)

(in reply to EUBanana)

Post #: 131

RE: Aug 7 - Bombs away... - 3/19/2005 9:11:47 PM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Central Blue

at the risk of rousing Toraq

What's up for Milne Bay? Dobadura? Land bases on New Guinea can support either the Central Pacific or the DEI. DEI are begining to take on a logic all their own the way thing are going. New Guinea is a mighty big aircraft carrier that can support operations in either direction.

No lectures about North Afrika or Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign from me. But... it's way too early to be dreaming of practicing Douhet on the Home Islands.

Right now I don't know where the KB is resting, nor do I want to take a chance on PzB quickly repositioning his LBA. So for now I don't want to go after any targets that are out of my LBA coverage. So I'm happy to bomb his positions in NG while I get in a position to neutralize his LBA. Once I start a "death from the air" campaign against Rabaul I don't want to have to stop half-way because I can't support enough aircraft or can't stop naval bombardments. It will still be several weeks before I get all of the forces and support I want into position.

In the meanwhile what I'm trying to do is make certain that PzB doesn't feel too "safe" in any of the more promising areas. I want him to split his forces. I want him to commit his carriers against my LBA. I want him to send his ships into harm's way. And if he won't, I'll bring "harm's way" to him.

And yes, in the next six game-months if I feel I have a good chance to take the Marianas without much risk before he can defend them well , I'll go for it. But that depends upon how well I can start to neutralize his forces.

Thanks for the comments -

Dave

(in reply to Central Blue)

Post #: 132

RE: Three fizzles... - 3/19/2005 10:11:39 PM

EUBanana

Posts: 4552
Joined: 9/30/2003
From: Little England
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ADavidB

quote:

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

gah

You lost me on that one EU - it's either too subtle or doesn't contain enough info.

Dave Baranyi

(Or are you refering to the pukey smiley? )

Sorry, that was me testing to see if I can actually post now.

I can.

My comp was acting up, I didnt expect it to work.

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 133

1 Month Milestone - 3/20/2005 6:01:38 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

It's August 8, 1942 and one month since I took over. The general situation is as follows:

1 - India - I hold Karachi and Malir with no attack so far on land. Bombay is regularly bombed into oblivion and Ahmadabad is on its way. For some reason PzB is only bombarding the troops that I have stuck in Ralwapinda, not attacking them. Other scattered troops are making the long march to Karachi.

2 - China - a mess, with PzB bombing stragglers and some of my troops trying guerilla war in the far east of China

3 - Burma - a mess, with malaria and jungle grinding us both to a halt

4 - Java - a mess in the air, with both of us taking lots of losses, but no ground attacks on my troops

5 - Timor/Northern Oz - my air power smites at will. And supply TFs are coming in.

6 - PNG - my air power smites at will. PzB is trying to reinforce PNG away from my air power. That's fine, I'm not going to Hollandia any time soon.

7 - The Solomons - PzB scouts my forces daily. Shrug...I keep sending in supplies and fuel and building bases

8 - South Pacific - very pacific

9 - Gilberts/Marshalls - I'm building and supplying - PzB is building and supplying. But I'm bombing too.

10 - Eastern Pacific - I've got transport TFs going everywhere. Someday I'll even get some to the West Coast.

Okay, for some of the details. PzB put some Zeros back into Delhi to try LRCAP over Ahmadabad. Fine, guess what I'm going to do next turn...

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 25

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 9
Blenheim IV x 12
Beaufort I x 18
Beaufort V-IX x 27
P-40E Warhawk x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Kittyhawk I: 8 destroyed
Blenheim IV: 5 destroyed
Beaufort I: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 33 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
82 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 12

In the meanwhile, back at Bombay:

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 45
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
511 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Runway hits 73
Port hits 8
Port supply hits 3

I wonder where that Zero came from and why. Not that I'm complaining.

BTW - there was another milestone this turn - Kararchi became a level 9 port. Now all of those hundreds and hundreds of engineers and engineering vehicles can focus on bringing the level 5 air fields from 56% to level 6. Afterwards, on to Malir for the engineers.

Also, since PzB isn't trying to attack on land at this point, I'm sending a small armored group out "north" to turn hexes into "As" and to make certain that PzB isn't trying to sneak north of the river.

Otherwise, it's pretty much business as usual.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to EUBanana)

Post #: 134

RE: 1 Month Milestone - 3/20/2005 6:18:51 AM

Central Blue

Posts: 695
Joined: 8/20/2004
Status: offline

FDR has ordered up another barrell of Canadian Club for you and all the generals and admirals in the PTO. In the meantime, Henry Kaiser has devoted one of his Richmond docks to building the Canada Dry to rush supplys of atabrine to the front. Ought to be underway in a fortnight or so.

_____________________________

USS St. Louis firing on Guam, July 1944. The Cardinals and Browns faced each other in the World Series that year

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 135

RE: 1 Month Milestone - 3/20/2005 6:29:50 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Central Blue

FDR has ordered up another barrell of Canadian Club for you and all the generals and admirals in the PTO. In the meantime, Henry Kaiser has devoted one of his Richmond docks to building the Canada Dry to rush supplys of atabrine to the front. Ought to be underway in a fortnight or so.

All the boys at the front and on the long, slow transport lines send their thanks. Now, if the DeHavilland works in Downsview will only start to send some Canadian Mosquitos to bite the Japanese sooner rather than later we would be even happier.

Cheers -

Dave Baranyi

BTW - The PM and his mother's ghost send their sincere regards to FDR and offer him the use of a northern Ontario fishing lodge any time.

(in reply to Central Blue)

Post #: 136

RE: 1 Month Milestone - 3/20/2005 6:41:06 AM

Central Blue

Posts: 695
Joined: 8/20/2004
Status: offline

No Mosquitos yet. Embrace the Beaufort. Anticipate the Beaufighter. And the P38.

_____________________________

USS St. Louis firing on Guam, July 1944. The Cardinals and Browns faced each other in the World Series that year

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 137

Air War - 3/20/2005 8:19:22 PM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

August 9 saw my flyboys go out of Karachi in force, and to multiple targets. Practice does make perfect. First off, PzB decided not to contest the air over Ahmadabad:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 9
Beaufort I x 21
Beaufort V-IX x 32
P-40E Warhawk x 11

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
141 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 14

And of course, he hasn't been able to at Bombay for quite some time:

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 9
Wellington III x 41

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
128 casualties reported

Runway hits 4
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 2

And finally, he did let his Zeros try on my B-24s over Delhi:

Day Air attack on Delhi , at 27,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 14 destroyed, 9 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 16 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
113 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 33

I don't think that he enjoyed those results, so he pulled his planes out of Delhi for the 10th. That's fine, I'll give the B-24s a day's rest. In the meanwhile, PzB has a lot of TFs at Bombay, with no air cover, so I'm sending the Wellingtons out this time on "naval attack". We'll see what transpires. But not to waste momentum, those Wellingtons have "port attack" as their secondary mission.

In the meanwhile PzB is becoming a bit obsessed with Soerabaja and keeps on sending in anti-plane forces. That's fine, he is ignoring the rest of the Javanese bases which allows them to recover and build nicely. And I'm happily pulling air forces out of Soerabaja to let them recover elsewhere. The great thing about this is that while PzB throws all kinds of air power at Soerabaja and China, he isn't bothering me elsewhere. This allows me to set up a number of nice surprises for him.

In the other important action, PzB has amassed more troops in northeastern India, surrounding my troops in Rawalpindi and building his forces there. He is still doing bombardment attacks. I guess that he wants to destroy those troops in one mass attack. That's fine, they are serving their King and Empire well because things continue to develop well in Karachi and Malir. Karachi is now up to 72% of a level 6 air field and Malir is almost up to both a level 3 air field and a level 5 fortification. In the meanwhile, I've got an armoured group checking things out to the north and east, just to make certain that there are no Japanese sneaking in, and to have the various routes set to "As" in order to try to do something under the movement "rules".

Everywhere else, "quiet" means ships being repaired, supplies and fuel being moved, bases being built, LCUs and air groups building strength and being positioned, and plans coming into place.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to Central Blue)

Post #: 138

Rain Day - 3/21/2005 12:48:54 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

My prima donna flyboys in Karachi took the day off on August 10 to admire the tropical rains again, so PzB got a respite from the rain of bombs that he should have received. He has been busy in the meanwhile, spreading his land forces all over northeastern India in order to make certain that he traps my troops in Rawalpindi. Since there is nothing much I can do about it, I just let him go and do what he wants. There are a few Allied units that ought to make it to Karachi despite PzB's efforts.

In the meanwhile, PzB is happily attacking where my planes aren't in Java. I'll "educate" him on their real location this turn.

A very interesting potential situation is setting up in Timor. PzB has had ships in there before, and at the time I could only send a few long range bombers after him. But there is a new Japanese TF showing up in my patrols. I'm not sure if this is one of the transport TFs that left Java a while ago and sailed southeast, or a combat TF that is going down to check up on northern Australia - my search planes tell me that there is a "CA" there, but they are all liars and trained by General Magoo, so I don't trust them very much. In any event, in addition to a lot more in the way of long-legged LBA than I had in the area the last time, I have another little "surprise" that will check things out. So regardless of what PzB is doing, he will find out that the situation in Northern Oz/Timor has changed...

Dave Baranyi

< Message edited by ADavidB -- 3/21/2005 12:53:14 AM >

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 139

Another Karachi milestone - 3/21/2005 2:39:24 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

The airfields in Karachi reached level 6 on August 11, bringing the city to its max of 9/6/9. So I've move the engineering units to Malir to speed up its development. I want the level 4 air fields there so that I can base bombers in both cities and lessen the chances of having my bombing raids rained out. Today's raids did go out and were nicely successful. First the mid-bombers did their job in Ahmadabad:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 2
Beaufort I x 19
Beaufort V-IX x 30
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
258 casualties reported
Guns lost 7

Airbase hits 8
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28

Then the Wellingtons and Blenheims went after Bombay:

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Runway hits 4

Day Air attack on TF, near Bombay at 20,10

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
MSW W.8, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Bombay at 20,10

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 19

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 2
BB Haruna
BB Fuso, Bomb hits 1

Day Air attack on TF, near Bombay at 20,10

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 3

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
APD APD-33, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

Day Air attack on TF, near Bombay at 20,10

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 30

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Bomb hits 1
BB Haruna

The MSW definitely went down, and I believe that the APD did also. I've switched the Wellingtons back to "port attack" for the next turn. I'm still resting up my B-24s while I decide upon my next target. BTW - the Brit 25th Division arrives in 3 days. Afterwards, I get a lot of engineer and base forces. I'm not sure what to do with them yet.

The situation in Java continues to be messy. PzB continues to attack where I don't really care, but my counterattacks aren't very effective in return. But as long as he isn't attacking my troops I can't really complain.

What was disappointing, however, was that whatever "Magoo's Airforce" thought that they had spotted north of Timor had disappeared. So I didn't get to do anything "interesting" in the region. Oh well, I'll let everyone rest up while more supplies, fuel and "help" reach the theater.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 140

A new front opens - 3/21/2005 4:28:47 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

I've got to keep PzB "honest", so I let him know that yet another of his important bases is now "open for business" as far as aerial bombardments go on August 12:

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 34

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 destroyed, 17 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
20 casualties reported

Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 29

It's always nice to get some Bettys on the ground. Now he has to decide if he wants to put some CAP there or not.

Speaking of CAP, PzB put some LRCAP onto Bombay:

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Wellington III x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 6 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington III: 14 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
289 casualties reported

Port supply hits 1

His Zeros had to come from either of two bases, so I'll bomb both with my B-24s. In the meanwhile, I'm not stopping the bombing of Bombay.

In the meanwhile, PzB completed his encirclement of my troops in NE India, not that this made any difference since as soon as one of his units "touches" one of mine, my units are frozen in place.

So I've pulled back that armored unit, there is no way it can "pathfind" a way out for my troops now. What is really irritating is that I've got troops that aren't in contact with the enemy, have a clear path to Malir and still won't move. But then, everyone knows what I think of the movement rules in the game ...

Java continues to be nasty and messy as far as air battles go:

Day Air attack on Tjilitjap , at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 24
A6M3 Zero x 19
Ki-21 Sally x 67

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 2
P-40B Tomahawk x 23
P-40E Warhawk x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 15 destroyed, 1 damaged
A6M3 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 8 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 3 destroyed, 5 damaged
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed, 12 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 13 destroyed, 2 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied ground losses:
16 casualties reported

Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 25

But PzB hasn't been able to shut down my airbases, nor keep me from moving my air groups to wherever I want to engage him next.

BTW - speaking of "engaging forces", look at this neat little surprise I dropped on PzB in China:

Day Air attack on Hong Kong , at 43,42

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 2, heavy damage
BB Nagato, Bomb hits 1

Japanese ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Port supply hits 1

That will slow down the repairs on those guys nicely. PzB will undoubtedly move a ton of fighters into HK now, but it was still fun to say, "Hello"...

All this fun in the air aside, I've started to put troops into another base in the Gilberts. My plans continue to come together well.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 141

Times get tougher... - 3/22/2005 12:18:43 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

The initial euphoria gained from escaping immediate destruction is being replaced by an underlying level of unease as PzB starts to tighten the nooses around Northern India and Java. PzB isn't attacking Karachi right now because he wants to ready his troops for a final assault. So I have a month or so before his troops near the "100%" level and he starts his march on Karachi. I received the 25th Brit Infantry and that's about it as far as combat troops go for the next few months, other than one US combat engineering group that will come in a couple of weeks. I will get more engineering units and base forces, but I don't need and can't use them in India. Also, thanks to the movement rules that prevent my troops from disengaging to uncontested hexes, I probably won't get any more "stray" troops making it to Karachi/Malir. I should be able to do a few more guerrilla attacks, but they won't make much of a difference.

It also looks like my "glory days" of bombing at will in India are coming to a close as PzB moves more base forces into position to be able to support LR CAP over Bombay, Ahmadabad and the other nearby bases. PzB has entered a war of attrition with me and I don't have enough long range bombers to be able to counter all of his moves. Not having long range CAP is also a big problem. So while I can still cause damage in certain locals:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad, at 24, 8

Allied aircraft
Beaufort I x 12
Beaufort V-IX x 28
P-40E Warhawk x 7

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
76 casualties reported
Guns lost 1
Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 10

Day Air attack on Hyderabad, at 20, 17

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 5 damaged

Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 1

(I was hoping to catch some of his LR CAP on the ground.)

But it is getting harder and costlier to do so everywhere at once as I could before:

Day Air attack on Bombay, at 20, 10

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 10
Wellington III x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 10 destroyed, 2 damaged
Wellington III: 2 destroyed, 9 damaged

Japanese Ships
APD APD-33, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

The same sort of thing is happening in Java:

Day Air attack on Batavia, at 19, 59

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
A6M3 Zero x 8

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 5
SBD Dauntless x 9
P-40B Tomahawk x 15
P-40E Warhawk x 3
A-20B Boston x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 2 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 10 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 13 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
74 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Runway hits 6

And I didn't do much to stop the response:

Day Air attack on Tjilitjap, at 19, 62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3 Zero x 35
Ki-21 Sally x 48
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 2
F4F-4 Wildcat x 3
P-40B Tomahawk x 8
P-40E Warhawk x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 7 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 5 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 6 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
Runway hits 1

I need to be able to open other fronts and provoke a reaction from PzB, but it looks as if he is going to be patient and avoid brash reactions. My biggest problem is that I don't have combat reserves in any important locations. I'm still struggling with redistribution of my land forces. I finally have some large transport TFs on the way from Hawaii to the West Coast, but it is a long way from there to the front lines. I'm going to have to "steal" some troops from some theatres in order to be able to project them into others, and hope that PzB doesn't realize what I am doing. At least my naval assets are getting to where they are useful to me.

The brightest area for me is still in the Gilberts where I am continuing to build up mutually supporting bases without interference from PzB. He seems content to reinforce his own key bases in the Marshalls and leave me alone. I would like to be able to start a combined-arms offensive in the Marshalls somewhere during the next two months. I want to be able to go in while PzB is still watching things in the Solomons, PNG, the DEI and India. But in order to do this, I will need to convince PzB that I can advance in those other theatres too - or at least in all of them other than India.

You may ask; why the Marshalls and not somewhere further west? Well, time and distance are the main reasons. I can get forces to the Gilberts in a lot shorter time than I can to the DEI. And likewise it takes PzB a lot longer to get forces to the Marshalls. I'm still not ready to go after PzB's more heavily defended bases, but instead I intend to try to neutralize those bases and then go after undefended or lightly defended bases that will give me more stepping stones. That way I get the best effect from my still very limited forces.

Of course, if PzB were to suddenly bring a reconstituted KB back into the Central Pacific to threaten the Gilberts, the dynamics would change dramatically, but I do have some significant forces there now, and a lot of way stations to allow ships to get out of harm's way quickly. And if PzB does commit the KB to one location, I'll simply take advantage of the opportunity to go elsewhere.

Time will tell.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 142

RE: Times get tougher... - 3/22/2005 12:19:42 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

Surprisingly enough, PzB didn't continue his LR CAP over Bombay on August 14. So my B-24s were able to get in and hit the runways untouched. PzB didn't put any LR CAP over Ahmadabad either, so my short-range bombers were able to get in there too. PzB isn't too foolish - he did put some CAP over Hong Kong and whacked my Chinese bombers. He also appears to have removed some of his ships from port in HK. The other surprise was that my B-17s in PM didn't launch again. Oh well, I'll let them rest and build up numbers - they will launch sooner or later.

PzB has a couple of TFs moving into the Marshalls again from the west. I'm going to move some B-25s into Tarawa next turn to see if I can reach any of the ships. Just in case these aren't just transport TFs I'm moving SC and AC TFs into the waters around Tarawa.

My scouting around indicates that PzB has a small land force in Gili-Gili. If I can confirm what he has there, I may try to take it. If nothing else, a bombardment force ought to catch his attention.

I'm still trying to reunite little bits and stragglers of land and air units. There are some things that can't be fixed, such as two Vildebeasts that are now orphans because the rest of their squad upgraded to Spitfires. Others I'm trying to match up and bring to some reasonable size, or else disband them and worry about them at a later date. I have too many obsolete planes and too few modern ones.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 143

RE: Times get tougher... - 3/22/2005 5:32:05 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

August 15 witnessed the fall of Rawalpindi. The troops there did cause a number of Japanese casualties, but the outcome was never in doubt:

Ground combat at Rawalpindi

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 108830 troops, 660 guns, 12 vehicles

Defending force 41375 troops, 206 guns, 5 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 8 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Rawalpindi base !!!

Japanese ground losses:
1066 casualties reported
Guns lost 15
Vehicles lost 2

Allied ground losses:
50308 casualties reported
Guns lost 249
Vehicles lost 2

Those troops never got a chance to become established or rested and most were pushed in after the fall of Delhi. PzB won't find the same situation in Karachi/Malir. Malir is now up to a level 5 fortress and rising. Once I finish the fortifications in Malir I'll pull the non-combat engineers back to Karachi. I do have one last infantry group that has escaped the "flypaper" of the movement rules and will reach Karachi. Every bit helps.

PzB sent his LR CAP back to cover Bombay, but it didn't keep me from closing the air fields again:

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 19
B-24D Liberator x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 9 destroyed, 9 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 5 destroyed, 11 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
469 casualties reported
Guns lost 3

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 43
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

This turn I'm sending the B-24s after suspected LR CAP bases - we'll see if I get lucky. I've also moved all of my short-range bombers to Malir to give them an extra edge in their attacks on Ahmadabad. Things are now pretty much as optimal as they will get before the eventual Japanese assault. PzB's success in Rawalpindi may well encourage him to take on Karachi/Malir sooner rather than later.

In the meanwhile, PzB is bombing various locations in Java with more LBA than I can muster. This is a great example of how the Japanese player is not at such a big disadvantage in LBA as many people seem to think:

Day Air attack on Tjilitjap , at 19,62

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 22
Ki-21 Sally x 90
Ki-49 Helen x 23

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 1

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 2 damaged
Ki-49 Helen: 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed, 4 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 3 destroyed, 4 damaged
A-20B Boston: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 22

Day Air attack on Soerabaja , at 22,65

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 50
G4M1 Betty x 62

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 2 damaged

Allied ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Vehicles lost 1

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 39

Simultaneously with this PzB is bombing Chinese positions with even more bombers. This is why I am trying to keep his air bases near my critical areas under continuous attack via the bombers that I have. I can't stop Japanese attacks of this scale with mid-42 Allied fighters. And my bomber attacks in the Marshalls and on Rabaul have succeeded in attracting PzB's notice. Will he react to my provacation or maintain his course?

Day Air attack on Jaluit , at 81,84

Allied aircraft
F-5A Lightning x 3
B-17E Fortress x 26

Allied aircraft losses
F-5A Lightning: 2 damaged
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Port supply hits 1

Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 42

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 destroyed, 26 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

BTW - it looks as if at least one of the TFs that I spotted in the Marshalls may well be laying minefields:

ASW attack at 80,84

Japanese Ships
ML Ma 1
PG Toyotsu Maru
PG Kaiun Maru
MSW Shonan Maru #7
MSW Chitose Maru

Allied Ships
SS Pollack

These TFs appear to be coming east from Truk. I'm getting tempted to try to "thread the needle" and hunt some of them down on their return trip. I'm also about to check into closing a gap in my perimeter as well as extending my perimeter in another place. The next couple of days will tell me how much value these ideas have.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 144

Reaching more milestones - 3/22/2005 9:26:01 PM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

A number of milestones were reached on August 16. The first big transport TF from the central Pacific reached San Francisco. This finally allows me to start to move significant forces westwards. And more large transport TFs are on the way and only a few days away. BTW - the transport TFs from Oz and the Indian Ocean are reaching the eastern Pacific at this time too, so it won't be too long before I can have the to-and-fro pipeline running that I need.

Another milestone was reached in the Solomons, as an invasion force landed on the Russell Islands. This is the first serious counterattack that I have staged. More are on the way.

Finally, a milestone was reached in India - PzB has his first unit on the road to Malir/Karachi. I'm not certain if this is just an attempt to play "sticky paper" with the one last Allied unit that is on the road to Malir/Karachi, or a "nuisance" move to try to start to block my routes and take advantage of the movement idiocy. In any event, due to the movement idiocy (I refuse to call it "rules") I am moving troops out to a ring around Malir/Karachi so that I am not impeded from doing internal moves.

PzB also attempted to interfere with my aerial attacks on Ahmadabad in a big way, and found out that it is not as easy as it seems:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad, at 24, 8

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18

Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 8
F4F-4 Wildcat x 20
Wirraway x 5
Kittyhawk I x 24
Beaufort I x 12
Beaufort V-IX x 22
P-40E Warhawk x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 63 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Fulmar: 2 destroyed
F4F-4 Wildcat: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wirraway: 5 destroyed
Kittyhawk I: 9 destroyed, 1 damaged
Beaufort I: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 3 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
159 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 23

The Zeros came in from Delhi on LR CAP. That's fine with me, because LR CAP takes more out of the attackers than normal local cap. And of course, I'll have my B-24s go after Delhi this turn. BTW - the attack on Bombay was rained out.

Things were quieter in Java, although I did attack Batavia and PzB attacked Tjilitjap in return. We are both low on rested air units in that area. In the meanwhile I sent more attacks against Timor and Amboina. Speaking of that region, one of my picket subs ran into a big transport TF on the way to either Timor or the neighbourhood. My search planes confirmed this as well as spotting another transport in the same local. I'm hoping that they are going to Timor, so I set all my tac bombers to naval attack, and set up what I hope will be an additional surprise. In the meanwhile I am continuing to bomb Amboina and Koepang to keep PzB from putting any search planes in those locations. I like to be able to operate without "eyes from above".

I forgot to stand down the B-17s at PM this turn, so they went in and fought it out with some Zeros, but accomplished little of substance. However, this does cause PzB to keep an eye out on my intentions in that area, particularly since I reconned Gili-Gili last turn. And there will be more activity in the Gilberts/Marshalls to help keep PzB antsy.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 145

A nicer milestone... - 3/22/2005 10:28:17 PM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

Well, for the first time since I took over, I caught PzB in a nice little trap as he was sending reinforcements down to Timor:

Day Air attack on TF at 29,75

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 14
SBD Dauntless x 34
TBF Avenger x 14

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
DD Kuretake
PG Kamitsu Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
APD APD-32, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Assam, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Nokaze
AP Tenpei Maru
AP Kyuden Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
PC Ch 16, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AK Hachirogata Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PG Aso Maru
APD APD-34, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Guns lost 8

Of course, PzB has now filled Kopeng with planes, but that's good, because I'm sending my carrier TF back to port at flank speed, and sending lots and lots of bombers after the airbase at Kopeng. I'm hoping to catch him with planes on the ground.

One unpleasant surprise that I received was that my marines on Russell Island didn't attack. I was certain that I set them to "deliberate attack", but nothing happened and they were just on "defensive" when I looked. I am hoping that this was due to a CTD that I had while I was setting up the last turn. I don't mind forgetting something when I am doing a recovery from a CTD, but I don't want to find that there is yet another subtle problem with land combat.

In the meanwhile, I finally found out what PzB has been doing with his subs - he has sent a bunch of them to the Solomons and is trying to mine Lunga. Okay, I can live with that - I also have minesweepers on hand and lots of subchasers on their way to the central Pacific.

In the meanwhile, the air war went a bit more my way again in India:

Day Air attack on Delhi , at 27,10

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 41

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
21 casualties reported

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 52

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 8
Wellington III x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
583 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 64

I'm also back to trying to make certain that PzB's forces in PNG can't interfere with me:

Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 45

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
51 casualties reported

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 5
Runway hits 32

In the meanwhile, PzB bombed Tjilitjap heavily again - it will be interesting to see if this continues or if some of those planes have ended up on Timor.

In the meanwhile, another big transport TF reached San Fran.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 146

RE: A nicer milestone... - 3/23/2005 1:21:54 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

Well, not all of my air attacks on Koepang took off on August 18, but the one that "counted" did:

Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 30

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 60

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed, 7 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 28 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
205 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 29

Intel now says that the air fields are at 100 damage. So I've changed all my mid-range bombers to "naval attack", but I'm still going back with the B-17s. I'm letting my carrier TF return to port to refuel and rearm. There is no rush - I'm not trying to stop PzB from sending troops to Timor - I just want to maroon them there. Afterwards I'll simply bomb them into the Stone Age. In the meanwhile, those troops in Koepang won't be elsewhere, which is what I want.

BTW - PzB did stop his air attacks on Java. But I didn't:

Day Air attack on Batavia , at 19,59

Japanese aircraft
A6M3 Zero x 22

Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 9
P-40B Tomahawk x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 2
A-20B Boston x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3 Zero: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21 Sally: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged
P-40B Tomahawk: 2 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed
A-20B Boston: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
6 casualties reported

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Meanwhile, the air war continued in India:

Day Air attack on Ahmadabad , at 24,8

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Wirraway x 5
Kittyhawk I x 19
Beaufort I x 17
Beaufort V-IX x 25
P-40E Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-46-II Dinah: 3 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort I: 1 damaged
Beaufort V-IX: 2 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
201 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 12

Day Air attack on Bombay , at 20,10

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 17

Allied aircraft
Wellington III x 33
B-24D Liberator x 32

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 10 destroyed, 3 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Wellington III: 10 destroyed, 5 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 11 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
467 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Airbase hits 2
Runway hits 20
Port supply hits 2

And I keep on forgetting to rest those Chinese bombers, but that's turning out okay:

Day Air attack on Hong Kong , at 43,42

Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 9
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 3

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 2 destroyed, 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Bomb hits 2
BB Yamashiro, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage

And I've started bombing elsewhere, just to keep PzB on his toes:

Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 13
B-26B Marauder x 24

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-51 Sonia: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 13 damaged

Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 3

And I'm starting to run out of good targets in PNG:

Day Air attack on Lae , at 54,87

Allied aircraft
B-26B Marauder x 43

Allied aircraft losses
B-26B Marauder: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
28 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 25

I even got some of my fighter bombers in Malir to attack PzB's nuisance troops on the road between Ahamdabad and Malir:

Day Air attack on Yokosuka 1st SNLF, at 23,6

Allied aircraft
Hurricane II x 19
Kittyhawk I x 2

No Allied losses

Japanese ground losses:
67 casualties reported

Finally, my invasion troops attacked this time, so it must have been me forgetting to recover all of my moves from the CTD the turn before:

Ground combat at Tenimbar

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 537 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tenimbar base !!!

Ground combat at Russell Islands

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 660 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Russell Islands base !!!

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 147

RE: A nicer milestone... - 3/23/2005 3:24:26 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

Well, it goes to show you that you can't really trust the Intel folks - they must be first cousins to General Magoo who runs my search planes...

Day Air attack on Koepang , at 28,77

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 35

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 8 destroyed, 8 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 13

The rest of my tac bombers went in scattered after the ships at dock and got a few hits but also suffered a lot of damage. So for this turn I'm putting even more bombers on air field attack and finally remembering to set the recons to Koepang.

Things have stayed quieter in Java - I'm bombing PzB but he isn't bombing me. And after a day's rest I'm sending out the flyboys from Karachi again - I haven't smacked Bombay in a while.

So I keep switching around which planes go onto attack and where I send my ships - there ought to be another landing next turn. The rest of my plan keeps on coming together, as well, PzB's initial move on Karachi/Malir seems to have slowed down. Maybe he just wanted to keep the remainders of my stragglers from making it to Karachi.

So unless PzB commits some of the KB to the Timor theater, I ought to be able to make life miserable for the garrison that PzB got in there. I won't bother to invade Koepang, I'll just neutralize it and eventually go around it.

Dave Baranyi

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 148

RE: A nicer milestone... - 3/23/2005 3:32:04 AM

Grotius

Posts: 5798
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: The Imperial Palace.
Status: offline

Wow, this game is moving right along. How many turns do you guys do per day? I can barely manage one per day in my PBEMs.

(in reply to ADavidB)

Post #: 149

RE: A nicer milestone... - 3/23/2005 4:41:05 AM

ADavidB

Posts: 2464
Joined: 9/17/2001
From: Toronto, Canada
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grotius

Wow, this game is moving right along. How many turns do you guys do per day? I can barely manage one per day in my PBEMs.

It goes in spurts. We're usually doing two turns a day, some times one more. I'm at the stage now where a lot of things are in motion so I don't need to check everything every turn. But Real Life tends to get in the way of Game Life so this won't always be the case.

Dave

(in reply to Grotius)

Post #: 150

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