Vettim89 vs Greasylake - Reversal of Fortunes

[Alfred]

You may have sunk more ships than you realise.  There is a delay of up to 60 days before a sunk enemy ship actually appears on the sunk ships report.  It is part of the FOW.
 
Alfred

[vettim89]

1 Jan 1942

Only 5 months until Zero bonus goes away. That is if it exists in Big Bob 1.4. To be frank, I really don't know what this mod brings to the table. Good day for the submariners of ABDA. KXVII put 2 TT's into an AK off Saigon and then S-37 put two into an AP off Kuching and then surfaced and through a few shells in too.

No new invasions today but Greasylake finally flew in some paras to take Brunei. The Dutch BF takes to the jungle. Treied to sneak some AK's into Singapore and was successful, however they won't be leaving as they got chewed up. Repulse is down to 93 sys damage.

CS TF are moving in the Eastern Pacific and Western IO. While I still have very few combat troops to move around, at least they will be supplied.

[vettim89]

2 Jan 1942

Nothing happened this turn. Wow!. Lots of bombardments by a/c but no invasions.

[vettim89]

3 jan 1942

Things are heating up. No new invasions but the IJN is on the move. See attached image of the South China Sea. This is likely the end of the naval forces attached to ABDA. My only hope is that I will be able to take some important Japanese ships with me.

Of note I also got this report

ASW attack near Kwajalein at 81,84

Japanese Ships
CVL Shoho
CVE Taiyo
AV Sanyo Maru
AV Sanuki Maru
AV Kamikawa Maru
AV Kimikawa Maru
AV Kiyokawa Maru
CA Chokai
CL Katori
ML Tokiwa
ML Tsugaru
ML Okinoshima
ML Ikitsushima
AS Jingei
AS Chogei
AS Taigei
AS Nagoya Maru
AS Rio de Janiero Maru
AS Yasukuni Maru
AS Manju Maru
AS Tsukushi Maru
DD Michishio
DD Murasame
DD Inazuma
DD Yayoi
PC Shimushu
PC Hachijo
PC Kunashiri
MSW Wa 14
MSW Wa 19
MSW W.1
MSW W.2
MSW W.7
MSW W.9
MSW Banshu Maru #8
MSW Banshu Maru #56
MSW Choun Maru #6
MSW Choun Maru #18
MSW Choun Maru #21
MSW Chitose Maru
MSW Fuji Maru
MSW Fukeui Maru #7
MSW Fumi Maru #2
MSW Kyo Maru #5
MSW Misago Maru #11
MSW Musashi Maru
MSW Seki Maru #3
MSW Shonan Maru #7
MSW Shonan Maru #8
MSW Sonobe Maru
MSW Tama Maru #5
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Toshi Maru #1
MSW Toshi Maru #5
PG Busho Maru
PG Chohakusan Maru
PG Daido Maru
PG Eifuku Maru
PG Hakkaisan Maru
DD Mochizuki
DD Kisaragi

So Oviously Greasylake intends a secondary push in the Central Pacific. I have 3 CV's in the area of Canton Island now escorting convoys to Suva. Hopefully I may be able to use these to interdict any moves in this area. It is such a relief knowing where his forces are located even if I really can't stop him.

[vettim89]

6 Jan 1942

Greasylake and I ran quite a few turns this weekend so I am a bit behind as far as the AAR. Tomorrow will bring the first recap as we will be officially one month in. Here is teh SitRep for today:

PI: Well my suspicions that Larry was taking the PI first approach was confirmed as you can see from the attached image. So five Divisions are at Manilla. I suspect after a few more days of preparoty bombardments, a second deliberate attack will end the battle for Luzon for all intensive purposes. Good news is I think I have a handle on the location of all 10 Infantry divisions Larry starts the game with: 5 in Manilla, 3 (I think) in Malaya, 1 in Kuching, and 1 (Imperial Guards ?) marching into Burma. Some one with a better handle on OOB might be able to shed a little light here.

NEI Half (I think) of KB is in the Java Sea wreaking havoc on what little combat power I have left. There are several AmpTF out there but the only ones landing anywhere have been on the west coast of Malaya. I suspect this is the reinforcement for the push on Singapore. It is definitely clear that Greasylake has adopted a PI, Malaya, DEI approach

SoPac The other half of KB has reappeared north of Rabaul. No AmpTF in sight yet. Japan only holds Lae and one small base (AB extended map has me confused as to which one) in PNG

Everywhere else is quiet.

After finishing escorting the first convoys into Suva, I am thinking about sending my carriers to raid Kwajalein - historically a few weeks early but with all the units I know are there, it is a tempting target. Is it worth the risk. Got some time to consider it

[Big B]

Hi vettim89,

Just so you know, IJN Fighter Squadrons start with 80 - 90 experience(as in stock), so they do not get the ZB in this mod...their experience already gives them that bonus.

I haven't kept up on your AAR until now - but I am afraid you have much pain and suffering to go...until mid 1942 at the earliest.

Since you don't know much about the mod - I would suggest you read the 'readme file notes'.

There's nothing for either side to be afraid of - no 'Easter Eggs'. But it puts force levels and OOB's pretty much where they were historically, air combat is a lot less bloody than stock, and naval ships have been re-rated to a standardized realistic uniform standard...those are the main benefits.

The Japanese can really run amok as John IIIrd is proving in his AAR with this mod, but with good planning and LUCK you will do as well as the Allies managed historically.

Land forces will take care of themselves for better or worse - but if I can give you (as the Allied player) one bit of strong advice - DO what the US Navy historically did in 1942...make single CV TF's(about 9-14 ships) with a good leader, keep your CV TF's together in the same 60 mile hex and following one Leader CV TF, and you should survive 1942 - and maybe even deliver a whipping as in Midway.[;)]

Good luck, and good hunting,[:)]
B

ORIGINAL: vettim89

1 Jan 1942

Only 5 months until Zero bonus goes away. That is if it exists in Big Bob 1.4. To be frank, I really don't know what this mod brings to the table. ...

[vettim89]

Big B wrote

Just so you know, IJN Fighter Squadrons start with 80 - 90 experience(as in stock), so they do not get the ZB in this mod...their experience already gives them that bonus.

Thanks for the visit Big B. I have like this better. I prefer that the early war advantages the Japanese had be something tangible as opposed to just a "fudge factor" Thanks for you notes on the Mod. I realize that as laid out now, I have no hope of keeping my opponent from taking anything he really wants for some time. My goal is just to make it hurt as much as possible. I have put a special priority on getting at his lift as much as possible and you will see from my next few post, I am off to a good start.

[vettim89]

7 Jan 1942

The war is a month old. This turn finds half of KB in the western Java Sea pounding my surface forces. I decided to split them up into pieces and scatter them as opposed to just letting them die in place. Only 2 WWI era DD's remain undamaged as far as the US Asiatic Fleet goes. Greasylake continues to unload LCU's on the west coast of Malaya. IN the PI he attempts another attack on Manilla reducing forts to 1 but I get the feeling from Greasylake that he bolt is shot for a few days here

The other half of KB is NE of New Britain attempting to reduce Allied air power there.

Strategic updates to follow

[vettim89]

The situation at PH

[vettim89]

My ships lost - not bad but Repulse remains in Singapore harbor with 93 sys damage

[vettim89]

Greasylakes's ship losses - extends off the bottom. My total reported transport sinkings are 10 AP, and 9 AK. Not a bad start

[vettim89]

The situation in the PI - not pretty

[vettim89]

AC losses - the bulk of my losses were in the first 2 days on the ground. Been very happy with my Buffalo pilots

[vettim89]

Situation in SE Asia. You can see the dispersal of Greasylakes forces in Malaya and the one unit (Assumed Imp Guards) marching into Burma

[vettim89]

Finally the SRA. Only the North coast of Borneo is gone

[vettim89]

10 Jan 1942

It has been a very slow few days. KB West has pulled back into the South China Sea. KB East is still near the Admiralty Islands. Greasylake continues to push hard on Manilla with intense bombing on a daily basis and he tried another deliberate attack on the 10th.

US CV's are heading north towards PH where they will replinish. The exception to that is Yorktown which is heading through the shipping channels towards Tahiti. I am still considering the Kwajalein raid. Any opinions on this?

AT this stage of the game I am not moving any high value units into the SoPac/CentPac area. My thinking is no sense in putting them out there just to die. I am moving small CD and AA units to Midway, Johnston I, and Palmyra. I have changed my defensive thinking over the past week. Instead of the "Line in the Sand" approach I was considering before, I think I am going with the "Pebble in the Pond" approach - start in the center and slowing work out. SO I am focusing on PH first, the Johnston I, then Midway and Palmyra, then Canton Island, etc. Having read the "Forlorn Hopes AAR", I realize trying to hold places where you are not strong in 1942 just causes the Allied player to dissipate his strength before it has a chance to reach critical mass. That was not meant to be a slam on Canoerebel at all, I think he has played an amazing game considering John 3's early success.

[vettim89]

Time to catch up on poor Fred

11 Jan 1942

Able Seamen Fred Barnett (RAN) and 5 other Vendetta survivors make their way onto the causeway - the final leg of the three week journey from Mersing to Singapore. This is their third attempt today to try to get across to the island; the previous two interupted by air raids. Smoke still rises from the city as a reminder that it has only been a few hours since the Japanese Nell bombers have left their calling card. Fred still cannot beleive it took so long to get to Singapore but with the Japanese advancing so rapidly through Northern Malaya, the "roads" are jammed with refugees heading south and supply convoys heading north. Then just as their little group passed through Johore Baru, the damn Japanese showed up again and start unloading troops. Fred is beginning to think the whole point of this war was for the Japanese to find and kill him!!!!!!!!

As they make their way into the navy base, Fred is amazed at the sight before his eyes. Its Repulse! He was sure she was a goner after he saw her take at least 3 torpedoes that night off of Kota Bharu. After a few inquires, he discovers this great ships odyssey has been as harrowed as his own. The crew was able to stem the flooding the night of the attack and good fortune smiled upon them as foul weather set in and covered their return to Singapore. The gates to the King George VI Graving Dock were already opened as she entered the harbor and she was immediately ushered in. Dock workers set about pumping out all the sea water and began to patch up the gaping holes in her sides. The plan was to temporaly seal the ship up and get her out of the war zone ASAP. Disaster struck the day after Christmas when Betty bombers flying out of northern Borneo bombed the port. Several bombs hit Repulse and worse she was knocked off her blocks in the dry dock. Her starboard screw was damaged beyond repair and even though she can now float, hope of saving her has all but faded.

Fred reports to the quartermaster at the Naval base and is ordered to assist in the strengthening of the harbor's defenses. Fred is beginning to wonder if the next time the Japanese come for him if they may finally be successful.

[vettim89]

Really don't know who if anyone is following this AAR, but I was wondering how readers might feel about the Kwajalein raid. As long as I know where KB is, do you think its worth the risk?

[Alfred]

Well, the other thing to factor in is whether he has Betty/Nells at Kwajalein.  At this stage his air naval units should still be highly experienced whilst your Wildcats will be less experienced.  He doesn't have to actually sink your carriers, as long as he puts them into drydock and removes your fleet in being, you may find the raid to have been counter productive.
 
Alfred

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Well, the other thing to factor in is whether he has Betty/Nells at Kwajalein.  At this stage his air naval units should still be highly experienced whilst your Wildcats will be less experienced.  He doesn't have to actually sink your carriers, as long as he puts them into drydock and removes your fleet in being, you may find the raid to have been counter productive.

Alfred

Well that is my big concern. I wish their was a non-gamey way to find out. I could send a single empty AK out that way but that is just too ahistorical for me. There are a/c at Maeolap (sp?) and Kwajalein but those could just be search a/c. He has Betty's at Kuching, Jolo Island, and Davao. Nells at Saigon and Kota Bhura. I don't know how many he has total. We have a house rule that any unit that transfers more than 9 hexes have to stand down one day. SO if there are no Betty's Nell's there, I am okay as long as I can get in and out in a day.

I really want to give Greasylake a bloody nose right now. I need to restrain myself so that my desire to do something does not cause me to blunder into a situation that I will regret for a long time. At the same time, the two small carriers at Kwajalein are a huge temptation