Aztez (Allies) vs Erstad (Japan)

[aztez]

Report from 17th through 19th of March 1942



Central Pacific


[>:][>:][>:][>:]


North Pacific


[>:][>:][>:][>:]


China


He massed his ground troops againts Kweilin and managed to captured the base.


Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 230046 troops, 2265 guns, 286 vehicles

Defending force 59454 troops, 161 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 6)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
3887 casualties reported
Guns lost 108
Vehicles lost 7

Allied ground losses:
1783 casualties reported
Guns lost 15

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Ground combat at Kweilin

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 224406 troops, 2161 guns, 277 vehicles

Defending force 56699 troops, 140 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweilin base !!!

Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Beaufort V-IX: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
4023 casualties reported
Guns lost 80
Vehicles lost 8

Allied ground losses:
2259 casualties reported
Guns lost 8


I had withdrawn my troops Wuchow.


Ground combat at Wuchow

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 26264 troops, 178 guns, 10 vehicles

Defending force 2542 troops, 11 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 110 to 1 (fort level 8)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Wuchow base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Guns lost 1

Allied ground losses:
108 casualties reported
Guns lost 4

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

I will move my land units towards Kweiyang. Hopefully I can stop this juggernaught there or at least slow it down a bit.

He also uses his LBA bombers quite effectively againts my ground troops here.


Philippines


His continues to soften up my troops at Manila.


Day Air attack on Manila , at 43,52

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 68
Ki-21 Sally x 121
Ki-48 Lily x 27
Ki-49 Helen x 49

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
188 casualties reported

Port hits 15
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


Wyndham is now occupied by Japanese troops. I do not enough troops to defend Northern Australia. If he continues to assault Darwin than I think I will withdraw my troops towards Southern Australia.

The good news is that I recieved 2 squadrons of Kittyhawks I.


DEI


I do not whether this is FOW but my Dutch pilots managed to hit CA Ashigara.


Day Air attack on TF, near Kragen at 22,63

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3

Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 4
T.IVa x 2
Martin 139 x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
T.IVa: 2 damaged
Martin 139: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CA Ashigara, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Haguro


India & Burma


Nothing significant to report. It seems that he will soon start moving towards Mandalay. At leas Imperial Guards division is planning for on assault here.

[Rob Brennan UK]

"I have also started Sub minelaying campaign againts Japanese home islands. This operation will include all of my operational submarines. It intresting to see what kind of results this type of action will bring."

sounds like fun [;)]. The only snag is that 2-3 Msw groups can clear up japan in no time. I tend to be as unpredicatable as possible with mines . even mining 'unoccupied' bases as the satellite intel can bu useful when an ak gets hit [:D]

also mine fields laid by single subs are very short lived due to atrittion .. cant remember the exact numbers but non dedicated minelayers need to be used in groups imo.

and can we pls have a piccie of china [:-]

[Sardaukar]

Came to my mind that I hope you didn't upgrade Argonaut !! [:D]
It's the best minelaying sub in game..even when bit ahistorical.

[aztez]

[aztez]

I remembered to take the screenshot from China Rob [:D][:D][:D]

It is too early to tell whether it is worth to continue minelaying campaign since my submarines are still enroute towards Japanese home islands.

I'am not sure whether I have upgraded the Argonaut but I will check when I get home from work.

The last turn was quite peaceful.


Report from 20th through 22nd of March 1942


Central Pacific


I have quite a lot of supplies at Christmas Island and Midway. These bases wohn't be easy targets for the japanese.


North Pacific


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China


As you can see from the above screenshot the Southern China is a mess.

There are quite a lot of happening near Kweilin. The depleted Chinese army is just 1 hex West of the base. He is trying to cut off the escape route.

Due to this fact I'am trying to clear the road towards Kweiyang. There are 2 Japanese units blocking the road. Hopefully I'am able to overwhelm those units.


Phillippines


The Japanese airforce still continues to pound Manila. I'am somewhat suprised that he has not launched any ground offensives here since my troops defending the city are out of supplies.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


Nothing has changed but he is definately moving more troops into this area.


DEI


There are now 8 units at Kragen. This means that this is the beginning of an end in this region.


India & Burma


I tried to assault Japanese ships at Rangoon harbour (My intel indicated +30 ships docked there). This operation was not succesfull since my fighters did not escort so this operation will be abandoned for time being.

There are also 5 Japanese units moving towards Mandalay.The Chinese garrison will soon have their hands full.

[Sardaukar]

BTW, beware of Myitkyina. Units there tend to retreat anywhere else than into useful direction, IIRC !! [:D]
Well, if Argonaut happens to be in PH and you didn't turn the upgrade off..it's too late !! [8D] It uprades in 2/42, I think...[;)]

And situation in China is not too bad, actually. Your main areas are still untouched.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Main danger in china is getting sian isolated by that drive up from ichang.. nasty .

[aztez]

I did found Argonaut and thankfully it hasn't received 2/42 upgrade! [:D]

I think the main problem with China is to know when should I start moving my troops towards inner China.


Report from 23rd through 25th of March 1942



Central Pacific


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North Pacific


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China


My troops were unable to clear the hex near Kweilin.


Ground combat at 42,37

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 49440 troops, 422 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 16030 troops, 176 guns, 10 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
146 casualties reported
Guns lost 13

Allied ground losses:
706 casualties reported
Guns lost 23


Those cut off Chinese troops are trying to move to Kweiyang. Next turn will reveal whether they will make it.


Philippines


Manila was heavily bombed as usual.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


He is moving ahead in this region.

Koumac was captured by small enemy force. This means that the assault againts Noumea will begin soon enough.

Also he has moved 5 units to Suva. I have 2 base units and 1 brigade defending the place. However, there is not much supply left.


DEI


A lot of naval activity here. I think he really would like to get those oilfields up and running.

It seems that the final offensive is about to begin.


Burma & India


A sneaky move here since he did land Paratroopers to Myithkina. The worse thing is that he did manage to capture the base too.

Erstad still has +40 ships anchored at Rangoon harbour.

[aztez]

Here is the current point totals.

[aztez]

Report from 26th through 28th of March 1942



Central Pacific


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North Pacific


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China


I managed to get my beaten up Chinese troops to move towards Kweiyang.

Ground combat at 43,37

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 158192 troops, 1509 guns, 294 vehicles

Defending force 500 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6464 to 1



Allied ground losses:
340 casualties reported


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

[:D][:D][:D]

Situation is far from safe but at least those troops were not totally destroyed yet.

Erstad did not garrison Kungchang and I paid a visit there.


Ground combat at Kungchang

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8658 troops, 73 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles

Allied assault odds: 248 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Kungchang base !!!


It seems he has just 2 units at Lanchow. I will try to force him out there and hopefully I can destroy some of those precious resources! [;)]

He has kept up the pressure in whole China though by bombing my ground troops heavily! [:-]


Philippines


Still no offensives here. Just the LBA bombings.

I have decieded to send 5 separate single AK's with supplies to Manila. These ships will sail from Australia so it will take sometime before anyone of these can reach the city.

If I'am succesfull with this one than he might have some troubles in this region too! [&:]


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


Bad news at Fiji. Japanese forces overwhelmed my garrison there easily.


Ground combat at Suva

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 29061 troops, 246 guns, 2 vehicles

Defending force 6788 troops, 53 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 4)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
812 casualties reported
Guns lost 29
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
231 casualties reported

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Ground combat at Suva

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 28030 troops, 216 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 6481 troops, 41 guns, 3 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Suva base !!!



Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
Singapore: 2 destroyed

Japanese ground losses:
500 casualties reported
Guns lost 9

Allied ground losses:
7161 casualties reported
Guns lost 45

Guns lost 5

The first air raids were launched againts Noumea too. I do not have sufficient troops to defend the island. That's just an unfortunate fact.

The good thing is that I have plenty of supplies at Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.


DEI


Dutch forces surrendered at Teloekbetoeng.


Ground combat at Teloekbetoeng

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 4128 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles

Defending force 4116 troops, 55 guns, 4 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Teloekbetoeng base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
166 casualties reported
Guns lost 5

Allied ground losses:
6756 casualties reported
Guns lost 60

I have just 300 assault points in both Batavia (level 5 fortifications) and Soerebaja (level 6 fortifications).


India & Burma

Erstad is trying to encircle my Chinese troops at Mandalay. Since he also holds Myithkina at the moment I have ordered general withdrawl towards Myithkina.

There are now 3 units at Myithkina base so that would indicate that he is using his airforce to move more troops in there. Hopefully my Chinese (SEAC) troops can recapture the base.

[aztez]

Hi to everyone who is reading this AAR.

I have been thinking about this but since I'am not an IJN "expert" I would really appreciate comments and views.

It seems Erstad is both aggressive (wants to conquere the map), careful and experienced opponent.

Taking these things to consideration I would like to make a big suprise for him. Something he doesn't expect is needed.

So my question is what kind of troop strenghts does Japanese have garrisoning Home Islands in mid/late 1943???

I ask this because operation Olympic (invasion of Japan from via Northern Route) is something that has crossed my mind.

I would guess he would be building up his defenses in Southern Pacific, DEI, Malaya peninsula and Philippines. (That is what I would assume he would be doing)... I would bet my money that the invasion of Japan would come as a shock to him. [8|]

There are a lot of things that need happen to even consider this kind of operation...

1) I need to keep China intact.

2) He can't move into Southern Australia or at least it would need to be an stalemate.

3) My troops deployments for this kind of operation would have to be kept secret.


If those terms are met than this operation might go ahead.

Questions...

1) What kind troop strenghts you would estimate he has garrisoning Japan?

2) Does this kind of invasion trigger anykind of early arrival of enemy troops? (ie. West Coast invasion)

3) Tokyo and Osaka are the reinforcements bases?

4) Has anybody ever tried this in 1943's?


This is just an idea and I haven't decieded whether to through with it but it is a serious option.

[Rob Brennan UK]

ARE YOU NUTS ????

Sorry just my initial reaction !

As for accurate jap strength .. fire up a game vs the AI and see whats in home island defence units .. iirc several divs and some AAA but not much else. He's certainly moved the a/c out .

He wont have moved out home island land troops as the PP cost is too high.

Have you though about

1) getting there undetected
2) supply once ashore
3) hope to keep SLOC open ?
4) how many men/points you could lose by doing this?
5) shipping losses would be crippling even if you got ashore
6) KB with LBA will spell doom to any 2nd wave or CV support.

ok end

retaking chinkkang <sp> .. hasnt that just cut off a big amount of jap troops ? hoorah if so .. any chance of keeping the place ? maybe run one unit east so even if he comes back here hes out of supply still.

good luck and i seriously hope for the sake of auto victory you don't do a 42 olympic !

[aztez]

I guess you voice of reason Rob! [:D]

I wasn't planning anykind of invasion of Japan until mid 1943 at earliest!

This will depend on a lot of things. It's yet too early to tell how the map will look in 1 years time. I wohn't abandon this idea just yet.

If I have plenty of AK's/TK's at my disposal and the bulk of my navy intact than who knows I might go ahead this operation.

It actually might be worth it if I can damage his industry in Japan. That would mean that his production will be horrific shape.

Yes, I did capture Kungchang but It is hopeless to try on and hold the base. The situation at Southern China isn't great. (more about in next post... 2 turns has elapsed since last update).

[Rob Brennan UK]

43 .. ah i mis read it .. still its a huge gamble .. but as you say lets see what it looks like in 6-12 months time. his advance has to stop somewhere [:D] hopefully

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

43 .. ah i mis read it .. still its a huge gamble .. but as you say lets see what it looks like in 6-12 months time. his advance has to stop somewhere [:D] hopefully

It's impossible to know what kind of situation is in mid 1943... and yes it would be an gamble but the reward would justify it [:D]

[Sardaukar]

If he goes to south with force, you might want to hit him where he isn't !! But remember that Northern area has higher ops losses too..if planning to go via Aleutians..and horrible weather.

[aztez]

Thanks Sardaukar. I doubt I'am able make those kind of moves you suggested since I have my hands full in Burma, China, South Pacific and Australia!

We have played 3 more turns since last update and there is not much good news to the allies. I will post an update this weekend when I get some more spare time. Sorry for delay guys [:(][:)]

[Rob Brennan UK]

nps mate .. all good reading when u can [;)]

[aztez]

This is one is a 5 turn update. Quite a lot of has happened and mostly bad news to allied HQ.


Game date is now 13th of April 1942



Philippines


The last bastion of Manila finally surrendered.


Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 141248 troops, 1488 guns, 302 vehicles

Defending force 51153 troops, 261 guns, 140 vehicles

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 2)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2


Japanese ground losses:
6208 casualties reported
Guns lost 198
Vehicles lost 10

Allied ground losses:
1171 casualties reported
Guns lost 31
Vehicles lost 8

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Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 126859 troops, 1161 guns, 270 vehicles

Defending force 47983 troops, 187 guns, 128 vehicles

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0


Japanese ground losses:
1858 casualties reported
Guns lost 23
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
865 casualties reported
Guns lost 9
Vehicles lost 2

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Ground combat at Manila

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 116874 troops, 1098 guns, 266 vehicles

Defending force 46813 troops, 170 guns, 123 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Manila base !!!


Japanese ground losses:
4805 casualties reported
Guns lost 56
Vehicles lost 5

Allied ground losses:
90616 casualties reported
Guns lost 278
Vehicles lost 96


There few allied controlled islands in the region but nothing noteworthy to mention.


Central Pacific


It has been quiet. I have build up defenses at Pearl Harbour, Palmyra, Christmas Island and Midway.


North Pacific


[>:][>:][>:][>:]


China


Heavy ground combats in Southern China are reported...

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Ground combat at 42,37

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 58089 troops, 624 guns, 10 vehicles

Defending force 58850 troops, 323 guns, 0 vehicles

Japanese assault odds: 6 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
3471 casualties reported
Guns lost 55
Vehicles lost 3

Allied ground losses:
803 casualties reported
Guns lost 3


I have + 100 000 troops behind level 8 fortifications at Kweiyang. These troops above retreated in to the country side. (They are slowly making their journey towards Kweiyang too).

Otherwise he has kept bombing my cities and troops with his airforce.

I have an feeling also that we need to abandon our defenses in Northern China soon.


Australia, NZ & South Pacific


He is moving ahead with his operations at Southern Pacific.

Noumea is under blockade and last turn 10 enemy units entered the base hex.

Also he has landed at Norfolk Islands too.

I have not dispatched any additional troops to Northern Australia. I want to garrison Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney properly!


DEI


I only control Batavia at the moment. The Japanese were able to capture Soerebaja couple of turns ago.



India & Burma


He is most definately building up pressure.

I have ordered my Chinese SEAC forces to make their way towards Ledo!

This means that he now controls both Myithkina and Mandalay.

He has a lot of ships anchored at Rangoon (+70 and +150 in Singapore).

Total amount of the Japanese troops taking part in ground campaign in Burma is propably around 150 000 men.

[aztez]

Here are couple screenshots: