Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

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RE: Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Hi Lokasenna,

I don't think the bombing results were poor overall. I was just commenting on BBfanboy's observation regarding the smaller raid achieving far less damage. I certainly wouldn't expect the smaller raid to achieve results anything like the first raid, but considering it was almost 1/3 the size, they might have achieved a comparable percentage of hits. It's all good, as Vizagapatnam is probably closed for business. On to Cocanada. [8D]
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RE: Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

August 9/42:

Mangalore is liberated by Indian troops. That's another 42 VP swing with Japan losing 35 and the Allies gaining 7.

Allied bombers target both Bangalore and Cocanada today. One of the Japanese units at Bangalore is identified as the 41st Inf. Rgt. and if memory serves me it's a weak one. It doesn't matter really as it appears the Japanese are bugging out from the base. Cocanada's airbase is hit hard in a series of raids. Even the smaller raids achieved good results in comparison to the previous discussion on the raids against Vizagapatnam. AAR's follow:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cocanada , at 41,37

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 70
P-40E Warhawk x 20

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Airbase hits
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 54

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cocanada , at 41,37

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Cocanada , at 41,37

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6

No Allied losses

Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

In other news, the Japanese get a little roughed up in China with an attack against dug in Chinese troops north of Kweilin. Another attack near Tuyun doesn't go well for Japanese forces either. AAR's follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 76,52 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22469 troops, 306 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 757

Defending force 44944 troops, 240 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1700

Japanese adjusted assault: 226

Allied adjusted defense: 3823

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 16

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

Japanese ground losses:
3720 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 449 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 31 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 54 disabled
Guns lost 89 (11 destroyed, 78 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
177 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
6th Division
58th Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
87th Chinese Corps
4th War Area

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 74,52 (near Tuyun)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11676 troops, 94 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 366

Defending force 19737 troops, 242 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 781

Japanese adjusted assault: 117

Allied adjusted defense: 976

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 8

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

Japanese ground losses:
1270 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
248 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
60th Division
102nd Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
95th Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
52nd Chinese Corps
6th Chinese Corps
35th Group Army
3rd Heavy Mortar Regiment

However, it's just a matter of time until I'm out of supply and the Chinese eventually get routed. I'd love to counterattack in a few areas, but the lack of supply means I can do nothing but sit and get worn down.

For next turn I've ordered Allied air in India to hit Madras. I'm nervous about the target, but I hope to catch Andre off guard. My previous raid against Bangalore was unopposed and my escort and bomber force was a little on the small side. I hope this encourages Andre to send LRCAP over Bangalore in an effort to interdict a bombing raid and protect his troops railing out from the base. However, there won't be a raid against Bangalore today, instead the heavies hope to hit an undefended Madras. I've ordered all my P-38's to Bellary to provide LRCAP over Madras. It's the only protection the bombers will receive as there are no escorts assigned due to range. My fingers are crossed that I guessed right and hit a lightly defended Madras, if not, I may have a massacre on my hands comparable to a Schweinfurt raid.
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RE: Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

August 10/42:

Well, that didn't go according to plan. Allied air flies into a hornet's nest of Tojo's over Madras. Despite taking on the cream of Japanese air power in India, the raids go remarkably well. On the day, 10 Tojo's are destroyed and eight aircraft destroyed on the ground against five Lightning's and no bombers lost, even to OP's! AAR's follow:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Madras , at 35,40

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 57

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 51
P-38E Lightning x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-46-II Dinah: 1 destroyed on ground
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 3 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 6 damaged

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 42

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 14 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 32 minutes
18 planes vectored on to bombers
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (5 airborne, 10 on standby, 14 scrambling)
5 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters to 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes
20 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Madras , at 35,40

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 49

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 25
B-24D Liberator x 13
P-38E Lightning x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged
B-24D Liberator: 1 damaged
P-38E Lightning: 1 destroyed

Airbase hits 14
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
9 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb
4 x B-24D Liberator bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 10 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
9 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 90 minutes
19 planes vectored on to bombers
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (18 airborne, 0 on standby, 2 scrambling)
18 plane(s) intercepting now.
1 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Madras , at 35,40

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 40

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 3 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 5

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
59th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (15 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
15 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 26000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 67 minutes
16 planes vectored on to bombers
64th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (19 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
19 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 25000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 16 minutes
11 planes vectored on to bombers

The bombers need a few days off to recover, as do the P-38's. I'll be targeting Madras on a regular basis once Bangalore is liberated. Bangalore will be an ideal base to provided fighter cover for the coming raids.

In other news, the last of the Philippine LCU is wiped out on Iloilo. This frees up the Japanese 21st Division to cause mischief elsewhere.

I notice lots of SigInt reports of Java and Timor being reinforced. Japanese 6th Guards Division, previously in Australia, is moving to Koepang. Southern Army HQ is moving to Soerabaja. I think Andre's master plan is being followed to the letter. Delay in Australia, India and the Southeast Pacific and use the time to crush China and build up a strong interior defence. I'm awaiting the Allied CV upgrades to finish then I will be moving forward once again.
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RE: Update

Post by obvert »

Looks like you got off lightly considering what you ran into. The Tojo is tough in a PDU-ON game!
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RE: Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

ORIGINAL: obvert

Looks like you got off lightly considering what you ran into. The Tojo is tough in a PDU-ON game!

In my book, that's a good result against Tojo's no matter what preference. I've never been impressed with the Tojo's in an anti-bomber role, at least in my experience playing Japan.

The Tojo's got very few passes at the bombers, so I think what saved them was the lack of warning and the P-38 LRCAP diverting attention away from the bombers. I'll take these results any day though, and what could have been an ugly day in the air for my bombers turned out to be another successful raid.
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RE: Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

August 11/42:

With the 4E's getting the day off, the 2E's target Japanese troops withdrawing from Cocanada which causes a few disablements.

Surprisingly, Andre orders Japanese bombers based at Calcutta to hit British and Commonwealth ground units near Ranchi and Warangal. A large force of Sally's (76 aircraft) hit British 16th Light Cavalry Rgt. near Warangal, destroying one vehicle and disabling another. A number of P-40E's set to LRCAP the raids over Cocanada reacts, but can't intercept the bombers. However, a follow up raid of 17 Sally's is intercepted and eight Sally's are destroyed on the day against one P-40E lost to OP's. The raid against British 43rd Cavalry Rgt. consisting of 24 Lily's near Ranchi causes no ground losses.

In the air actions today, 11 Japanese aircraft are lost against only one Allied. These kinds of raids that Andre commits to every now and then are exactly the kind I'm trying to avoid myself. I'm trying to focus on larger raids that accomplish a specific goal, rather than risk frittering away my limited assets in low reward operations. So far I've kept to the plan. I also know I have some tough fights ahead and will need every aircraft available, not to mention experienced crews to man them.

Another air attack by 2E's is scheduled against Cocanada's airbase tomorrow while the 4E's get another day off. A large TF of reinforcements to India will arrive at Karachi in a few days. The same can be said for another TF nearing Albany. Fuel, supply and troops are pouring into Australia right now. The operations against Northern Australia will begin when Allied naval assets arrive in roughly a month. I'm trying to time things so that October, November and December are used to make some Allied gains in a number of areas.
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RE: Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

August 12/42:

A quiet turn.

Only 10 B-25C's fly to hit Cocanada and the damage is just a disabled engineer squad. I've grounded further flights for tomorrow.

The Japanese SS I-11 patrolling due west of Albany takes two direct DC hits and a couple of near misses from U.S. DD Woodworth, escorting a TF headed to Albany.

Bangalore should be totally abandoned next turn, as there is only one Japanese unit remaining and it's indicated moving southeast from the base. Once Bangalore is secured, I will close down Madras completely and begin the advance to capture the base. Once Madras is closed, Allied air will concentrate on supporting ground forces as they advance into Southern India. As Allied ground forces near Ranchi, air units will redeploy to support the assault on the base.

I'm short of DD's which is hampering my ability to perform a number of small operations. I'm in the process of shifting naval assets around to provide me greater flexibility moving forward.
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RE: Update

Post by SqzMyLemon »

August 13-14/42:

Exmouth gets hammered on the 13th by a strong Japanese bombardment TF. Luckily, there is only one USN construction unit present. The base will have to take its licks until I can consolidate the area in strength. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Exmouth at 50,129

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Nagato
CA Chikuma
DD Isonami
DD Minegumo
DD Natsugumo
DD Arashi

Allied ground losses:
384 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 24 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (7 destroyed, 11 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 9
Runway hits 41
Port hits 28
Port supply hits 12

In China, Tienshui is lost to the Japanese. Supply would never move to the base so I chose to defend it lightly. This will be China moving forward, no supply means no defence. AAR follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Tienshui (81,38)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 25331 troops, 256 guns, 111 vehicles, Assault Value = 825

Defending force 3610 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 35

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 1682

Allied adjusted defense: 28

Japanese assault odds: 60 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Tienshui !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
273 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1217 casualties reported
Squads: 150 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 44 (32 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th Division
15th Division
51st Engineer Regiment
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
96th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps

In India, Bangalore has been abandoned by the Japanese and Commonwealth forces will occupy the base tomorrow. I'll immediately rail in aviation support and establish a strong air presence. Japanese forces continue to deploy to Calcutta and area. The total now is around 34 LCU's. A flanking maneuver towards Darjeeling is a real possibility. The problem is how to keep such a move supplied as BBfanboy pointed out awhile back.
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

August 15/42:

One of the quietest turns to date. Just a few Japanese bombing raids in China...that's it.

India:

Japanese forces have abandoned Mysore and one LCU is still reported at Bangalore. Commonwealth forces will assault both bases on the 16th. Bangalore should fall easily if the lone Japanese LCU remains.

It appears the Japanese troops previously in Southern India are withdrawing from Madras via naval transport. In hindsight, I could have taken measures to prevent this, or at least set myself up to interdict the shipping with LBA attacks. I dropped the ball here.

I've had an epiphany:

I've been so focused on avoiding AV that I've played right into Andre's hand. It's clear to me that I need to push all over the map. The outer Japanese perimeter is weakly held and the sole purpose was to delay my advance. This isn't anything new, but understanding that Andre wasn't intending on holding any of these forward positions in strength took me some time to figure out. Most of the LCU's used to take the positions have since been withdrawn to Andre's main perimeter defence. Sumatra, Java, Timor, New Guinea are all being fortified and reinforced. I continue to get reports that the Japanese 4th Division is at Suva, so it appears Andre is not willing to give up Fiji without some resistance. In hindsight, I could have pushed back in a few areas earlier. However, had I not secured India by heavily reinforcing the theatre, I believe Andre would have seized control of most of the country short of triggering the emergency reinforcements. He's decided to strategically withdraw from Southern India and Ceylon, having achieved his purpose of destroying what static Allied units he could and pushing back my start line. Well played. [&o]

Now, what am I going to do moving forward? Well, it was my intention that the last quarter of 1942 would see the Allies push back, so in that regard I am still roughly on schedule. Allied moves to liberate all of Southern India and Ceylon prior to 1943 can still be realized with the Japanese withdrawal. Preparations to liberate Northern Australia are underway and will commence in September. I'll be moving in the Central and Southern Pacific shortly. The next four months will see more aggressive play on my part to push back the Japanese perimeter and seek combat on advantageous terms. Now that I know it's highly unlikely Andre can achieve a 4:1 AV in 1943, the pressure is off and I can focus on what I want to do, rather than the tune Andre has made me dance to.
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by obvert »

Sounds familiar. Well, this is fine ass you know now what you can take back. This is the fun part of the game! [:)]
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by BBfanboy »

ORIGINAL: obvert

Sounds familiar. Well, this is fine ass you know now what you can take back. This is the fun part of the game! [:)]
Fine ass?? What does repossession of prize burros have to do with the war in India? [;)]
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

ORIGINAL: obvert

Sounds familiar. Well, this is fine ass you know now what you can take back. This is the fun part of the game! [:)]

I thought the same. It was interesting to see Andre implement the same exit strategy for Madras, as Nic did in your game. I saw it coming, but just didn't put myself in position to counter it.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next year and a half of game time and clawing away at Andre's lead.
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Fine ass?? What does repossession of prize burros have to do with the war in India? [;)]

I may need those burros in Burma. [8D]
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

August 16/42:

A smallish Japanese SCTF of six ships arrives at Diego Garcia. British SS Trusty misses one of the Japanese destroyers. I presume Andre was hoping to catch an unloading Allied TF, but there are none in the area. I expect he'll bombard tomorrow before retiring.

In India both Mysore and Bangalore are liberated. Bangalore has a garrison requirement of 40, so Andre left the 81st Naval Guard Unit to act as rearguard and not give away a free VP. Australian 6th Division deliberate attacks and routs the defenders. Both bases combined yield the Allies 10 VP's and reduce Japan's total by 50. Air support and engineers will begin railing into Bangalore to repair and expand the airbase.

I've decided to accelerate plans for an offensive in Eastern India, bypassing Calcutta, and moving on Darjeeling. If I can move quickly, I may be able to force Andre's hand and threaten to move against Ledo before he's ready to set up an adequate defence. This operation will rely on a single secondary railway to bring forward supply. It could be dicey, but forcing Andre to react to the possibility of the Allies opening up the Ledo to China airlift may be worth the risk. I'll go into more detail over the next few weeks.

Allied CV's have finished their upgrades and the bulk of American naval assets are redeploying from Cape Town to Australia. Meanwhile, planning and preliminary preparations are underway for an amphibious invasion of Ceylon. This will be primarily a British and Commonwealth show heavily supported by American air support. Recon of Trincomalee spots large numbers of Japanese warships including a BB. Once Southern India is secure, I hope to make the Japanese position on Ceylon tenuous through the use of Allied air power.
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Four days since the last turn. I know Andre's busy with preparations for the big move, but it's unfortunate there are so many extended periods between turns over the last month or two.

I'm having to get my AE fix living vicariously through a number of AAR's I'm following. [:D]
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Received a turn today, but that will be it for an undetermined number of days until the big move is completed and Andre is settled in.

Hopefully, in a few weeks the game will pick up again and move the AAR forward.
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by BBfanboy »

We'll wait patiently.
Having moved many times I know how stressful the whole chaotic event is, so we should not put any more pressure on André right now.
When he has the essentials out of the way he will return to the WITP-AE fix that we all need. [:)]
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Having moved many times I know how stressful the whole chaotic event is...

Especially one across country.

The delay has given me a chance to get much more organized. Now that I have the turn, I can take my time with it and sort out where everything needs to go. Allied forces have become too concentrated in a number of areas and it's time to reassess force allocations for upcoming operations. This is the part of the game I enjoy the most, the behind the scenes preparations. I have a number of operations I'd like to pursue during the next four months, but getting the logistics in place has taken forever.

I need to figure out if Andre's perimeter defence includes using KB in the South Pacific and New Guinea, or if it's more centrally located to support Northern Australia and the DEI. I'm going to have to try and divert his attention away from my main objectives, but at the same time draw him out and avoid a crushing Allied naval defeat. Fun times ahead. [8D]
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

I received a turn from Andre this evening. I hope this means our PBEM will move forward more regularly in the future.

Nothing to report on the turn (Aug. 18/42). It took me a little while to get my bearings again. Allied naval forces are on the move, but behind the scenes, and it will be 3-4 weeks before everything is in place and any kind of offensive can be conducted.

In India, Allied ground forces continue to move forward in the south, while a number of units redeploy to the Benares area in preparation for the planned offensive to flank Calcutta and drive on Ledo. It will be interesting to see how Andre reacts to my attempt to open a supply route to China.

I hope Andre will be able to devote more time to the game now. It would be nice to get turns consistently to allow us both to get back our mojo.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
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SqzMyLemon
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RE: Avian aggression leads to murder most fowl - Sqz(A) vs. Chickenboy(J)

Post by SqzMyLemon »

Received the Aug 19/42 turn from Andre yesterday and it was another quiet day.

An interesting development in India around Ranchi. I began moving a small beat up British Bn. towards Ranchi which drew a full Japanese division out from the base and caused another to begin moving towards Ranchi from the south. So two Japanese divisions have reacted to movement of a lone Allied LCU consisting of two infantry and 10 support squads. I'm beginning to think my planned move to flank Calcutta and move on Darjeeling will be the right call. If I can cause Andre to defend Ranchi while drawing additional forces out of other bases it will be that much harder for him to react quickly to a move against Darjeeling. My biggest concern is can I rail in enough troops fast enough and block all rail lines into Darjeeling before the base can be reinforced.

The first step is to capture Rangpur (currently not built up or defended to my knowledge) with American Marine paratroops. Then, five Allied divisions, 3 British and 2 Indian, will rush to Rangpur by rail. In addition, 75% of all available AA units and a substantial number of base forces and engineers will follow in support. Small armour units are tasked with securing the rail lines leading to Darjeeling to block reinforcements to the base. Two divisions will then head directly to invest Darjeeling, while the remaining three will hold Rangpur and secure the flank against a Japanese counterattack. In reserve are 2 American, 1 Australian, and 3 Indian divisions. All the Allied armour brigades will be committed to exploit any openings, or act as a fire brigade to block any Japanese counterattack. Furthermore, 1 American and 3 Indian divisions are tasked with moving on Ranchi, either capturing the base, or tying up Japanese units in its defence.

In the air, preparations are ongoing redeploying squadrons all over India. I'm transitioning the American bomber and fighter forces to support the Darjeeling offensive, while British and Commonwealth air units will be tasked with supporting the move against Madras. Small raids are planned throughout India to mask my real target and apply a little pressure everywhere.

I expect it will take about 3 weeks from the initial paratroop drop on Rangpur until my forces can invest Darjeeling, providing I can prevent any Japanese reinforcement of the base. In that time, I will have to secure and build up Rangpur, block a possible Japanese counterattack from the enemy forces at Calcutta and area, keep a tenuous supply line open to Rangpur via a secondary rail line and with fighter cover only being provided from bases at Patna and Benares. What could go wrong?

There is a surge in supply being sent to India from Cape Town. Off the top of my head, there is an addition 300-400k en route which should keep everything in motion. There is already a healthy stockpile of 500k at Bombay. I think I am about 7-10 days away from beginning the offensive, lets say Sept 1 is tentatively D-Day.

I will definitely provide a screenshot or two over the next few days to clearly show my planned offensive and all the forces at my disposal.

I should add, this is the first phase in the Allied plan to capture Ledo and open an air bridge to provide China with some supply. Darjeeling is a key objective in order to establish an air base to cover the next phase of the operation, which is the drive on Dimapur and Ledo itself. Without creating a series of air bases along the rail lines any attempt to reach Ledo will fail. This is best thought of as an operation Market Garden, Indian style, but instead of bridges, it's airbases that are crucial to success. Will it be an airbase too far?
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton

Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
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