Sushi or Spam - Monthly Japanese Returns (CHS 2)

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps,

right now I am enjoing to be playing two gentlemen in a CHS 2 game environment. One Gent from France „gillesthib“ (CHS 2.03) and another Gent from Finland „lagen“ (CHS 2.07).
This AAR is based on a game with „lagen“ mostly.
As for our „house rules“, please look here (I asked his permission to link to his AAR)
While dealing with some of the rather obvious „gamey“ aspects of the WitP/CHS evironment, the HRs focus on linking tactical options with logistics issues. There are no rules arbitrarily curtailing any sort of tactical or strategic options. („Stuff“ like no landings west of Singapore, before the place is taken .... etc)
This „AAR“ may prove to be quite boring to some. I will not complain about the shortcommings of the game engine. I just take it as a „given“ and the rest as a learning curve. The game engine has its shortcommings of course, but a couple of very bright and shining points as well. As far as I can see it, the game does support some sound strategical decisions underlinded by some proper tactical options with spades. „Calculating“ things down to the the last rifle calibre round will not do. In my experiance.

I tend to play by the book, or rather several ones. That is using tacticts and strategical options discussed at the time. (you can get a copy of a manual on Jap early war tactics here).

If you are looking for a „creative“ or „winning“ Japanese strategy – wrong thread. I am very conservative.
On the other hand, I am going to use a special map taken from: U.S. Naval Aviation in the Pacific: issued by The Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; United States Navy, 1947. Published in the midst of a lot of political bargaining and inter- and intra-service politics after the war. A very interesting read .



Anyway. As you can see, the map shows how the allies won the war – in an after the fact perspective. I guess, most readers are familiar with this point of view. If there is anything of interest in this AAR, it is the use of this map as a backdrop against my own achievements within the WitP environment. But: My game will not be based on how to beat the allies assumptions. It is rather based on „options“ prominent Japanese „Chraracters“ proposed at the time. And of course, neither Yagumo nor even Yamamoto are my primary „heroes“.
If you care for a high res version oft the map. Look here

The perspective of my „Monthly Returns“ in this discussion is that of the Japanese equivalent of a „Quartermaster General“ report - supposed to be indicative of general developments, not of tactical or short term events.
Monthly Returns will be bases on theater – or rather Japanse command structure – or certain aspects of Japanese warfare and Japanese economic planning.
One last point. In a game against the AI (or what is supposed to fill in for it in WitP) the game lasts as long as the player cares. In a PBM, the game lasts as long as your opponent cares for his game. Frustrating your human opponent to win the war early is certainly not conducive to a long term game (which I would like), but certainly a valid strategy.

Enough of the preliminaries, right ?
An interpretation of Japanese early war production options in my next installment.

Cheers

[Redd]

Looks good, I'll be watching.[8D]

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps,

sorry about the delay – but RL(tm) had a say ..

Japanese production, or rather resource and asset management in the early stages. That is resources, oil, HI, specific production factories etc. Just my take. I know, there is some kind of „Zen“ behind all that, but I rather use a kind of pragmatical approach.
There are two components influencing Japanese asset management: First: Beyond a period of four to eight months (depending on Japanese behaviour o the allied player skill), as much of the available resources (oil/resources) need to be secured as possible. Chiefly in the DEI and Indochina, and for the icing on the cake Malaya, China and PI.
But. As a Japanese player on Dec 7th you do not know, how well or how long your oppenent will succeed in keeping you away from your „honey-pots“. Nor do you know about the actual shape of the resource centers after being taken. ( I know, there are some theories about enemy „engineers“ present and a bases shape after taking, but the good old dice still have a very strong impact).
Second: How long do you expect the „war“ - or PBM rather – to last ? Are you going for a „shock and awe“ approach, or are you looking at a rather long war of attrition ? (Omiting the in betweens)
As a Japanese player, opting for the „diplomatic“ solution – i.e. an early „withdrawal“ of your allied opponent - is a valid expectation. And this is quite often based on some stunning tactical issue, rather than long term strategy. Something like sinking all available allied carriers in a single engagement.

Anyway. I am basing my Japanese planning on „expectations“ with a rather large margin for my oppenents skill, or luck and the „dice“.
Supporting the forces in the field with supplies, equipment and upgrades comes first, base development comes second and after that strategic issues and long term projections.
To sort these things out, I tend to use a 3 Months, 6 Months and 1 Year planning perspective.

In other words: Conserve as much in the way of resources, supplies, HI-points etc. as possible (to be able to stay in the game in situations of adversity as long as possible), while trying to improve the striking power of your forces at the same time, to gain your „war aims“.

Short term:
Early on, Japan is in need two things: Modern fighters (Zero/Oscar) and „armaments“ to support the ground forces (or ground force replacements).
A „Zero“ production level of 120 to 140 per month and the same for Oscars at the end on 1/42 should be the goal. (Waiting for Nates to convert early in 1/42 saves a lot of supplies).
An armaments level of 600-800 should be aimed at.
A slight increase in AFVs will do.
Mid term:
„Sallys“ are a sore point. Even though, by the numbers „Helens“ are not much of an improvement, the op-losses of „Sally“ units are very high. Expanding „Helen“ production early – while waiting for „Sally“ factories to convert in 1/42 is a sound option. Some 60-80 „Helen“ production is the aim for the first 6 months.
Transports:
As for transports, the IJN has the best or most versatile, but the number of IJN pilots is the issue here. Unless the transports have special capabilities (range and supplying bases without airfield), none of the IJN transport groups is worth keeping except Tinas (Range) and H6KL-2 Mavisses (supply for bases without or with havy damaged air field and range). Of course IJN Tabbies have a good range/load relation, but they do not have any armament. Sending them into contested air-space is a bad idea indeed.
For most purposes, IJA „Topsies“ are quite as suitable. For the first 3 months, I tend to stop all transport production, except for about 20 Tinas and some 20 Mavisses – to flesh out existing air units and slowly convert IJN transports – while keeping the „Tabby“ units on the ground as far as possible.
Floatplanes:
There are only two usefull ones: Jakes and Glens. The others lack the range, are very vulnerable to fighters or have no purpose anyway. Replacing shipboard FPs to Jakes – esp. in those TFs heading for contested airspace is very important. Other Jake conversions have no high priority. I stop all FP production – except Jakes with a slight step up to around 40 and leave the Glens.
Patrol Planes:
Converting Mavisses to Emilys is a good thing. Having some 30 Emily production in 1/42 should suffice to have the conversion done by mid 42.
Dive Bombers:
Idas are useless. After the first „ship hunting days“, I convert them.
Anns and Marys are quite good aircraft – used as attack bombers, ship hunters and ASW patrols on small fields. I leave at least one unit of each unconverted, to hang on to the replacement caches, in case I want to convert some Sonias to Lillies later on.
Recon:
Nothing to do, til the new Dinahs arrive.
Vals and Kates:
A very small increase to each in 1/42 should do. to build up a cache of 100 each – unless you run into heavy carrier actions.

R&D
I stop all R&D for types not available within six months. There are quite a few innitial R&D allocations for types available later on, which will not be needed to spawn new air groups outside the „auto conversion“ upgrade tree. These factories are my first choice for reallocation into currently available AC. Useless floatplane and transport factories come next. I rather use a number of small factories to increase production levels than a smaller number of big ones. It makes things more incremental and converting a small factory to a badly needed type is less expensive. Plus: Expanding a few small factories will yield results sooner than upgrading one or two.

Engines:
I keep Mitsubishi, Nakajima, Kawasaki, Aichi, Nissan and Toyoda factories. Stopping two large Mitsubishi (at least 160 production) factories and converting the Hitachis to Nakajimas should do early on. Monitoring the engine levels quite closely is essential.

Heavy Industry
I leave it alone for about three months. In the first phase it is much more effective to keep the HI outside Japan supplied (Formosa, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.) than starting an expansion programme in order to maintain the HI point cache.

Other:
For the time being, all ship building or repair yards are left as is. The ports at Okayama and Maizuro will be expanded as the airfield at Tsu. At least two bases in the eastern Kuriles are recieving upgrades as do the airfields at Bangkog, Kwajalein and Palau and the port at Truk.
Fortifications in Hanoi and the frontline Chinese bases have a high priority.

If nothing else, the Japanese player needs to balance the many upgrade options against the political points (PP) available. Since most of the candidates for upgrades are in restricted commands.
Therefore, PPs are the next issue.

Cheers !

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !

With the latest patches, Matrix has – for the most part – squashed the „leader bug“.
This fact should be understood as some kind of „epocha“ by the Japanese player, since it opens a rather important option: Using „Quality“ or „Mass“.
In order to keep track of my „musings“ on PPs , please have a close look at the „leader impact“ thread here.

Leaders have a huge immediate and medium term impact on unit performance. This is more important for the Japane than the Allies. At least for some 12 months.

This is my perspective on the PP issue as a Japanese commander.

As a Japanese commander, you better believe in the „quality“ paradigma I am advocating. Since it is about the only „luxury“ you may enjoy. And of course it is in line with „bushido“ - the way of the warrior – as opposed to the decadent reliance on „numbers“ of the allies. The Japanese need some real heroics to win the war, not Hollywood interpretations.

Anyway: Here is my PP allocation priority or check list for 12/41:

1.Any carrier TF needs a fitting admiral.
2.Any Bombardment TF needs a very good one as well
3.Any LCU prior to enganging enemy units should receive the best available commander.
If there is a shortage in PPs: Infantry, Tanks, Engeneers, Arty in the order of importance.
4..If – and only if – there are PPs to spare, use them to release units form restricted commands.

As long as your ground forces are in contact with the enemy, give their commanders a high priority.

Next in line are patrol plane units – just because those are your first line of attack and defence.
With Carrier air unit leaders for CVEs and CVLs as a strong second choice.
Navy tropedo airplanes are next in line
And then the CV carrier air groups.

This list may read more rigid than I use it myself, but within limits it works. Modifications within those limits may be required.

Of course. There is a war going on. And my guidelines may need adaptations. That is fine. As long as you keep the „quality first“ issue in perspective. Training of air units may help – but only to a certain point.

Cheers

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !

Just my take on early war Japanese logistics.

Of course. Most contemporary historians tell us, that Japan lost the war because of a faulty logistics system in the first place and neglecting proper ASW measures in the second. Learning from history – as the „historians“ see it - never hurts. Right ?

Early on, trying to sort out Japanse logistics (or shipping rather) is much like structuring an ant-hill. An ant hill not only with a huge number of ants, but with a huge variety of more or less specialized ants as well.

Of course. In the first two weeks I tend to use what is available and is reasonably suited to transport troops and supplies to their destinations.
That is: Up to the end of the first month, immediate needs rule the „system“, while at the same time a kind of „pattern“ is attempted to be established.
Stage 1:
In and around the home islands all APs go to Tokyo. Plus some of the faster and/or larger AKs.
All AKs and TKs to spare move to Osaka/Kobe.
Warships not used go to Hiroshima. Minelayers (mid range) to Sasebo, long range Miners to Sendai and long range Barges (AGs) to Tsu.
The „assembly area“ for warships considered to form useful TFs is Naha (ships from PI TFs and ships from Japan get there fast)
At the same time I aim at establishing Palau, Truk and Kwajalein as staging and supply hubs. Plus Ominato for the Northern Area. The aim is to establish these first tier centers by the end of December 41.
Stage 2:
At the end of January 42 Tarawa, Rabaul, Buin and Kendari should be ready for „second tier“ service. To a certain extend, one of the Islands in the Kuriles should be prepared for movements east.
As far as Transports go, this multi tier system has its uses. While rather large ships in rather large TFs with some reasonable ASW support (not to mention ACs on ASW at the „concentration points“) serve the first tier centers, rather small but fast transports are used to maintain second tier and frontline bases.
This covers the „defensive zones“ - Northern Area, 4th Fleet, Southeast Fleet and the Northern Australia „sector“ of southern area.

In the „resource area“ the thing is pretty much analogous. Small and rather slow ships (10 to 13 knots) collect their burden at the numerous places of origin to a few centers (Singapore, Hong Kong, Takao, Manila, Palau etc.), where the „goods“ are transshiped to larger vessels for the long hauls..
Ports with repair yards and Heavy Industry have a high preference.
My logic behind this goes like that:

There are three „classes“ of transport: Very high – Troops, High – Fuel and Supplies and normal Oil/Resources.
And there are three threats to those transports: Subs, surface war ships and aircraft.
The problem here is „penetration“ potential and debth of penetration potential.
Enemy air and surface ships need to be „controlled“ by the outer rim of the defenses – troop and supply convoys may need to move into the zones where friendly defensive measures and the enemys offensive „reach“ overlap. Even though defensive potential (air cover for instance) plays a large role, fast and small transport TFs (low detection level, low amount of time within the contested area) may help to reduce losses and may force the enemy to commit a disproportunate force to naval interdiction. Or – in a most favourable situation – the enemy may be forced to send invasion forces into a well prepared defence, in order to gain positions cabable of interdiction operations.

Subs are a different story.
Subs have the ability to penetrate the defensive perimiter or „crust“ and can show up anywhere..
Their potential to do damage is therefore not as much based on time of contact, distance and mass of penetration, but rather on the reverse: the deeper they may penetrate into critical areas, the stiffer the opposition should be. Increasing the cost of hits. Either by day at sea per hit (likelyhood of meeting and hitting a target) or by being hit per successful attack.


Here goes: The Pacific, the Indic and the waters in between are a huge, a very huge, hiding place. But: There are pretty predictable „concentration“ areas (like the North Channel) for Japanse shipping.
Those areas are the seas around Formosa, parts of the Home Islands, Manila (?), Palau, Malacka Straights etc.
The point of Japanese ASW measures is to cover those areas as much as possible: Few but larger TFs crossing the areas to reduce „contacts“. Aircaft on ASW to detect Sub concentrations, „Hunter Killer“ ASW groups on patrol cooperating with ASW patrols and „support“ ASW TFs to help the TFs to get through.
This relative concentration of ASW assets and anti-sub measures in potential „target rich“ areas (by no means comparable to the Brit Western Approaches effort in the Atlantic) should help to persuade the allied player to seek „softer“ or weaker targets. And: These areas have less traffic – and detected Subs can be avoided due to more „sea room“. Reducing the number of hits or losses by good old math. Less contacts – less hits. Probably.
Even though, Japanse ASW capabilities are quite limited (in numbers and technology), and since dice or luck still have a say in the execution of a move, results may vary. This is my best solution to minimize losses. Anyway

Of course. This stuff may not be very interesting in the first three or even six months. Depending on situation. And you may even get lucky with your allied PBM opponent (like using his subs in the first phase for troop evacs and/or supply „runs“ and „splitting“ his sub force into supply, evac, sub-mining plus some „area“ defense in the second Phase i.e. in Jan/Feb 42). If thats the case: Anything with a „bottom“ is good enough. Move now, move fast.

This is just my attempt at a Japanese logistics and ASW concept.

Cheers

[FeurerKrieg]

Nice AAR, I like your opening plans and discussions. It will be interesting to see how things go for you in game. I tend to believe that long term planning can add a lot of efficiencies to Japan's overall economy and military. Best of luck!

[scott64]

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !

Thanks for your interest in my longish rants. Even though my game with "lagen" is stalled at the mo, I have hopes for the furure..

Time to cover China: Part one – General remarks, Hong Kong and Mandshuria LBA.

China is an important area for the Jpanese player. Not because the war can be won in this area, but because the region has a lot of trouble potential on the long run. Not the least as a long time troop, aircaft and supply drain.

My strategic goal for at least the first twelve months is to obtain defensive positions, which can be held with a minimum of forces. This defensive „perimeter“ requires the taking of Changsha, holding or retaking of Ichang and Honan (or preferrably Sian). Even though it may take a while to get that far. But the war in China is an excercise in patience anyway. And it is a war of logistics.
Any further developements depend on the other theaters.

I think, the bases mentioned above have a good defensive potential for different reasons.
a) Changsha is protected by a river crossing north and west. That could become very costly for the allies when attacking.
b) Ichang and Honan/Sian (by the way Tatung and Yangku have pretty much the same characteristics) – both have reasonable road/rail conections to the south or southeast, while the roads to the Chinese hinterland have the lowest capacity – limiting the movements of troops and supplies.
c)Because of the above and additional „geographic“ issues, the „points of contact“ with the enemy can be reduced from many to just three.

However, I tend to use the first two or three month period to prepare the ground. My goals are: Redeployment of forces in the rear to minimize garrisons. Elimination of enemy units behind my „front“ to secure my lines of communication Defending Nanchang with knifes, spoons and teeth, if called for. Getting the troops from other commands out of China – which for the moment is the main contribution of China to the success of other theaters. These units are: 21st Div, 33rd Div, 31st Div, 4th Div, 38th Div, 71st Div (small PPs), 106th (Anshan) and 107th (Kunsan) IJA Base force. Taking Hong Kong. Defending Canton Securing Hanoi. Spread out the PP cost for using the Mandshuria tactical bombers.

Lets have a look at some of the issues:

Hong Kong. In CHS 2, the attack on Hong Kong is closely related to the defense of Canton. If things get rough, Hong Kong may „hold“ into the second half of January !
Canton is a „city hex“ - with a high defensive value. Both for the owning Japanse – but for any enterprising Chinese unit as well. That is – any Chinese unit in the Canton hex will stop Japanese movements to Hong Kong (zone of control issue) and is very hard to remove form the hex (defensive value of this hex).
Hong Kong is a „resource Hex“. I have seen some player comments on „resource factor“ favouring the defenders by some magic. HK is one of those bases. (I do not believe in Voodoo, but HK is a lot tougher in CHS 2 than CHS 1)
But HK is an isolated place. That is draining supplies is the fastest way to defeat the defenders.
The troops available: Canton: Shanghai SNLF, 38th Div, 104th Div, 19th Mixed Bde plus „support units“ (not the RF Gun Units !). Swatow: 51st Div. The 51st is held in Swatow due to garrison issues – however, sending the Shanghai SNLF from Canton and a similar unit by ship from Formosa will do the job, freeing up the 51st to be send to Canton. Sending the 38th and 104th Div to HK (plus all available „support“ units) is next. This solved, it is draining supplies of the defenders. Damaging the port or AF in a hex is the usual way. However, HK has a very effective AAA defense. Sending any bombers to HK in the first days is suicide. (Make sure none of the LBA units in the area will attack HK). That leaves naval bombardment. Sending a 4 BB TF with 6-8 DDs of any kind to Pescadores is very important. Assign the best surface commander with the highest naval skills to this TF. There are mines and maybe PTs plus CDs at HK. Yes. But setting the escorts to not bombard, reducing the speed to „cruise“ and the Admiral all help to avoid the mines. Do not send CA/CL type ships. They get clubbered by the CDs – even late.
Coordinate the bombardments with the ground attacks. That is, attack with ground forces the same day as the bombarments occure.
Rolling attacks: As far as I can tell, if a single unit makes a deliverate attack all defending units in a stack at a base will respond – or defend. That is: They will expend supplies. And this is what I want, if I am not sure my sheer numbers, prep points and commanders etc. suffice to break the walls.
In practice: I send one Div after the other against a base on consecutive days – they take losses of course, but ample „support“ will fix this up rather fast. This way a „fresh“ or „fixed“ Div or Brigade will be ready to go „in“ within 4-5 days. Your ground combat reports will tell, when to go in „full bore“ to draw the curtain for the final act.
LBAs may be used to attack port or AF to support the „draining“. But beware of Chinese forces moving to Canton. Probably send the Brigade to the northwest of Canton to stop them.

A word on the „Rolling Attacks“: One of my opponents - „gillesthib“- has given and still is giving me some painful lessons on „defensive“ tactics. In a CHS 2.03 game with him HK held till mid 1/42. I used the „full bore with recovery“ approach at HK with him. Worked till CHS 2. Some testing showed the „rolling attack“ was the basic solution. But keep in mind. Even a very small unit will draw as much supplies from a defending „stack“ as a big one. And losses are more proportinal to the attacking units size, than to the defender strenght ! You may want to implement some house rules to prevent the abuse of this tactic – as in my game with „lagen“.

Since my remarks on Mandshuria LBAs is short: I just send them to Port Arthur to the bases max capacity and let them loose on any isolated Chinese unit in reach. I send units to build up Jehol for later use and „release“ the LBAs from Mandshuria as PPs allow. I set all Mandshuria LBA units to „no replacement“. Cheapens the PP price over time.

Cheers

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !

China: Part two – Nanchang and the „long march“

As you can see, Nanchang has four possible „supply lines“. Two are blocked and the other two are threatened. What is more, all reinforcements going to Nanchang have to cross the river between Kuikiang and Nanchang. Therefore, reinforcements should arrive at Nanchang before the first Chinese unit arrives to avoid the „shock attack“ rule.



To defend Nanchang, I give up on Ichang – the other potential trouble spot. Just leaving a token force in place (you never know) and the same is true for the hex SW of Hankow. This way I can consolidate my front and it is possible to shift troops to the SW i.e. Nanchang.

The next map shows the situation on Dec. 7th:



Legend:

Blue – main troop movements
Yellow – potential threats to my supply lines.
Red – projected main effort.

The movements to Nanchang are more like units from Ichang to Hankow south etc pretty much simultaneous.
Dealing with the „yellow pockets“ is part of the troop movements. In general it does not take more than a Brigade or a fraction of a Division to take them on. Air attacks and a 2-3 day of bombardment to reduce supplies and morale and than deliberate attack. I make no effort to encircle the units east of Sinyang and west of the road between Chengting and Kaifeng. I just want to get rid of them.
As to the main effort: I want to get to Nanchang to be able to supply and reinforce the place.
All other considerations come second.



Just the headlines from the „Lagen“ game:
Hong Kong was taken on the 18th January. After clearing the port of mines, the 38th Div started to be shipped to Malaya. All other units are at Canton. Lagen never tried to have a „go“ at Canton.
71st Div. Converted to 4th Fleet and is moving to Kwajalein – takes a while to „beef it up“.
4th Div was split up into „regiments“ and shipped to Palau. „A“ regiment took part in taking Manado on the 28th. „B“ is preparing for Amboina and „C“ for Kendari.
21st. Div is about to ship to Mindanao to take Davao.
31st Div stays in the area, to help with „zoc“ issues.
33rd is moving to Bagkok
Hanoi has recieved Arty, Tank and engeneer units and is building fortifikations – I guess the Chinese are impressed by the the speed of spades. A tactical recon unit keeps the area under „survaillance“.
Since none of my „mobile“ units was trapped in China – I consider Dec. 41 in China as a strategical success.

Now for the „in-Theater“ occurances: The next map shows the situation on Jan 1st:



As you can see, Ichang is still standing – some kind of a miricale.
The northern frontline is stabilized.
The situation at Nanchang is stable (both sides have about 2000 attack value)
Two chinese „pockets“ are squashed. The rest is well in hand. That small unit east of Kaifeng will meet its fate shortly.
I am using three divisions (17th, 15th and 22nd Div) plus a tank regiment and the 31st Division along the „main effort“. The Brigade at Ningpo has been „released“ by a SNLF from Formosa. And another one was shipped to Hangshow.
Even though the „map“ may not show it. My rather small force smashed through. Lagens mains force of four units was deflected south, the one unit in the way towards Nanchang will be forced off. He failed to retreat his forces north of my line of advance. Actually those forces north of the road are cut off and under attack one week later.
For the next weeks eliminating the units to the north and taking Pucheng are on my agenda.
Anyway: The situation at Nanchang is resolved.

Cheers

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !
The Philipines


From a Japanese perspective, both Luzon and Mindanao are „secondaries“. Surpressing allied air assets and sooner or later the use of Manila as a port are the goals.

And since PI is a „Secondary“, avoiding losses is the issue.

Securing the beach heads:
Legaspi is the weakest landing. Therefore I send one regiment of the 16th Div in that direction forthwith. A para drop at Naga may help to „screen“ the landing at Legaspi. Anyway, using the CVL TF close to Legaspi – to be reinforced by the second CVL asap – to deter any naval attack and sending a BB – 2 BBs the slow and old ones - TF to Naga/Legaspi asap (Using Naha as a Hub) is the order of the day. AS soon as the fist regiment of the 16th Div is ashore, Legaspi is save. In the North of Luzon the landings at Aparri and Vigan will go as usual. A quick Para drop at Laog connects the northern beach heads and provides a sice 2 airfield.

Airlifting some rudimentary air support to Vigan, Laoag, Aparri and Legaspi is next, followed by some Nates etc. to provide local air cover. This is the only period, when I use Nates and Claudes in front line service – outside China.

Laoag will receive Zeroes and probably some dive bombers as soon as the AF is operational. The Zeros to hunt PTs and the DBs to hunt other ships.

The fighters at Aparri, Laoag and Vigan free up the „guard ships“. Those are send to Naha to flesh out the waiting CV/BB TFs as soon as possible.


Dealing with allied options:

a) Subs from Manila Making the PI „cheap“ is the issue. Therefore I tend to establich a „save passage“ for my transports from Formosa to Aparri using ASW TFs on the relevant hexes (2xPG, 2 xPC, 2xMSW each) plus air units on ASW patrol. IF the allies use the Subs to interdict shipping around Formosa, it will only affect shipping to Palau and in the Formosa channel (From China west). Some ASW cabaple ships in each transport TF from Formosa should be enough to get the troops to Luzon safely. If the Allied player is using his subs for evac/supply runs. Fine.
b) Air units. Interdicting Clark is easy enough. However, the Allies have some B-17s at Cagayan (Mindanao) and some more from Clark may get there. Taking Cagayan by land or invasion may prove costly. However, the BB TF send to assist Legaspi may be used as a „discouragement“. And as soon as Hong Kong is gone, those four BBs should help to convince the opponent player.
b) Ground The worst thing to happen is an attack at Legaspi. When the first regiment of the 16th is ashore, this sort of attack is doomed. Luzon is supposed to surrender in May 42. And it will. Cutting off smaler parts of the garrison may help to „speed up“ the taking, but is only secondary. The best way to defend Luzon – in my opinion – is to put a strong garrison into Bataan and use the rest to defend – or rather use up the forts points – elsewheres. Another option might be to retract to Manila to profit from the City Hex defense bonus. Anyway: Preparing the „Shuzan Naval Guard“ to move to Lingayen – as soon as the place is about to be taken – with prep points for Bataan may help to counter the allied „Clark Gambit“. The SNG should be strong enough to withstand any counter attack from Bataan once it is there. Locking the allied forces in Clark field. If more ground forces can be send to Bataan over time, Luzon may surrender quite a lot earlier. If the allies are defending Baguio, I go around the north. The cross river attack from Tuguegarao is not worth it.

How the game went: Lagen did not use his subs around Formosa in December. Most likely using them on evac/supply runs. And he opted for Manila as his last stand. His B-17s left for Australia or other places – some ended up in Burma/India.
My OOB: 16th Div. 48th Div 65th Brigade 4x Tank units 3 x Arty 1 x Mortar 3 x Combat Engineers 2 x HQ And some Base forces.
Clark Field was taken on the 19th and Battaan on the 28th. All his surface ships are gone long since. Just a last supply/evac run at Manila.
Mindanao: No landing on Mindanao so far. No need, since his air assets have left,
Cheers

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !

Indochina, Northern Borneo, Burma and Malaya

Since moving troops from Kwantung to China requires PPs in my game with Lagen, closing down the Burma/Ledo road to China has a certain level of priority.

Indochina:
Building up Hanoi early is about my only concern. Therefore 2 or 3 Engineer units (for building forts), an Arty and a Tank unit are moved to Hanoi (from Hainan Isl.). A single Recce unit should suffice to keep an eye on any developments in this area.

Burma:

Building up Bangkok as an air base is my first concern. Using Nells from a size 5 field can be quite effective to interdict any shipping to Rangoon. All construction units and some sizable air suuport moves there asap. Getting two AAA units to Bangkok fast – in case the allied player cares to try interdicting Bangkok by air attacks – is standard practice.
Sending some small base forces to Pisanoluke and Rahaeng – to base some Recce units threre – is next. „Freeing up“ some Base Forces in Indochina is essential. That is rebasing some air units as I go. I may be stripping the area, but that is fine by me, since a good many air units will move to Bangkok or Malaya anyway.
My dispositions:
4th Mixed Reg. Goes to Tavoy (plus a small guard unit, a base force and a construction unit)
55th Div., 21st Brigade, a tank, a mortar, an arty and an engineer unit go for Moulmein. Victoria Point may be taken by Paras – if evacuated – may be attacked in early January.
This may leave an escape or reinforcement route for air units between Rangoon and Malaya. But Victoria Point is a „dead end“ for all units send there. Using all ground units vailable in Malaya is more important to me.
The 33rd Div. from Shanghai is slated to arrive at Bangkok (or Singora) in the second week of January. The 31st. Div. May stay in China till early Febuary.

Tavoy and Moulmein: Taken on the 21st.
Victoria Point: Still in allied hands. Lagen tried to evac his forces – and may have succeeded to some degree – but my air attacks took their toll on his shipping. I would guess, his remaining forces at VP are sance air support units. At least, no air units are detected making a stop over at VP.

Malaya:

The allied player has three basic options:

a) Make a „stand“ with what he has got. That means a minimum of „rear guard“ actions and moving anything to Johore / Singapore as fast as possible. AS long as „Force Z“ is around, the Japanese player can do very little about it.

b) Dunkirk at Singapore: Evacuating troops from Singapore by any means available. This requires some delaying action by ground troops and reinforcements for the air defence of Singapore.

c)Alamo: Sending suitable reinforcements to Singapore. This may and should require stiff rear guard actions.

From a Japanese perspective, option „a“ will run its course, however options „b“ and „c“ may be interfered with, using air assets to interdict any shipping around Malaya.

The first step to bring your air assets into play is taking Alor Strar quick ( a size 4 AF). A few Nells based there may help to discourage any shipping to or from Singapore. Of course, Kota Bahru is a size 6 AF, but when taken it will take a lot of rebuilding before it is of any use. Therefore I rather opt for closing Kota (using naval bombardments) and press on for Alor Star.

Kuching should be a good option to help interdicting Singapore from the flank. But the risk of taking the place early is high – expect the allied player to send „Force Z“ or anything else to fight a landing there. Since I do not care for „shoot outs“, I am happy to delay Kuching for early January. Since for all I know, neither a concentration of subs west of Kuching nor the Nells at Saigon will be any help at Kuching.
Or the other way round: Kuching is „cheap“ after taking Johore.

A word on air power in Malaya:

While most allied air units in the area are useless against Jap shipping (only Swordfish close to their bases are a threat), Japanes bombers will have to face very bad weather in Dec. And Jan. Three out of four days have „thunderstorms“ - or so it feels. And the AAA at Singapore is VERY efficient.

The way I see it, the infantry is the queen of the battlefield in Malaya.

I did send the 18th Div to Singora – as far as CHS goes, the AF at Kota can be silenced by naval bombardment. Sending some fighters and DBs to Singora the next day – plus airlifting some air support to this base is a natural. Fighters at Singora help to release capital ships on AAA defense duty - and the DBs may catch some shipping.
Taking the size 4 AF at Alor Star is next. (see above).
If house rules allow – I will not attack Singapore with Nells from Saigon. The AAA is a bit to „hot“ there. To costly for s few „Buffaloes“ or some such.

My OOB for Malaya:

5th, 18th and Guards Division.
3 Arty,
2 Mortar
3 Tank
4 Engineer Units.
38th Div will move from Hong Kong asap – acting as a „reserve“.

Lagen opted for the „last stand“ at Singapore option. He managed to move there with a minimum of losses. The fate of his Malaya forces was sealed on January 1st 42 when Johore was taken.

Northern Borneo

My frist port of calling is usually Brunei: It helps interdicting allied shipping going west, it is a good staging port for going to Kuching, Tarakan and Jolo and there is Oil, which may be used to supply Formosa, Hong Kong and Saigon.
The invasion date depends on the Bombardment TFs from Malaya. Two or three Bombardments – with the actual landing coinciding with the last Bombardment is the plan.

The invasion force is based on one of the larger Naval Guard units from Camranh, with the secon of the type and the 35th Brigade as a „floating reserve“. A base force, a construction unit and a supply TF and a fuel TF are a day or two behind.
This way the last bombardment TF offers AA support and after taking Brunei the supply TFs give me an option to either bombard/invade Kuching or Tarakan while supporting a landing at Jolo Isl.
The last day before the Brunei invasion, Miri is taken by Paras.


Miri: 12/19
Brunei/Jolo: 12/21
Tarakan: 12/30

Cheers

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !

Sealing off Northern Australia: Celebes, Ceram, Timor

This area requires a succession of naval invasions. The staging point is of course Palau.

The IJN will play a mayor part in it.

However releasing the IJN from other commitments – esp at Luzon – provides the timing of events.

Lets see:
Getting fighters to the beach heads at Luzon releases the naval units in the area as a PT and anti air guard. Sending them to the „rally“ point at Naha is next.

This way a BB TF is created to defend Legaspi with a secondary to bombard Cagajan. After this it is send to Palau to start bombarding Manado (Celebes) as soon as possible.
The CVL TF near Legaspi will be relieved by a CVE TF as soon as possible.
The CVLs go for ship hunting between Mindano and Celebes for some time and then go to Palau.
The BB TF engaged at Hong Kong will move to Legaspi – in case of need and may Bombard Cagayan for good measure.
When the CFLs are due to go for Palau for refuel, the CVEs take up the position. Combined with some Kates at Jolo, the tail end of the allied shipping from the south China Sea/Luzon/Mindano may be forced into a „killing zone“.
However – it is more important to isolate Manado.

In the meantime supplies and fuel are shipped to Palau, units not needed on Luzon are send from Taiwan to Palau.

The 4th Div. at Shanghai is split up. Reg. A prepares for Manado, B for Amboina and C for Kendari.
Those „fragements“ will be shipped out in succesion to Palau and will pick up AKs with supplies and escorts at Palau.

The sequence of invasions in the area (Manado, Amboina, Kendari, Timor, Makassar – and later Bali) is pretty much the same:
One TF with a „fragment“of 4th Div to envade, a Naval Guard unit to „hold“ after taking a second regiment of the 4th Div as „floating reserve“ if required – and base, construction, CD and AAA units flowing in as needed. Not to say tankers and supply TFs to resupply my Bombardment and CVL/CVE TFs. And Mine Layers to help secure the bases.

Of course, air units are moved to the bases.

The CVL/CVEs are used to „screen“ the transport TFs from enemy surface TFs in the area.

One of the Bombardment TFs will have a „shot“ at Amboina and then move to Truck, The CVLs will move after Timor to Truck.

I leave Davao alone, till I have enough transports in Shanghai to move the 21st Div.

Manado was taken 12/28 and bombardment of Amboina took place shortly after.

Cheers

[vonSchnitter]

Hi Chaps !

South East Fleet:

SE Fleet is probabaly the quietest „corner“ in the pacific in 12/41. Besides some long range recon missions – just to keep your opponent worried – nothing is doing: Just preparations.

Building up Truck to a size 9 port is high on my list. For the most part, because I need a place to „reload“ my mine layers and subs soon. Therefore all free „construction“ units etc. from Jap are moved to Truck.
Shipping for the 56th Brigade (prepping for Rabaul), 2nd Div (for PM) and 56th Div. (Regiment size TFs to support the 56th Brigade in increments) are assembled and the move to Truck is on the way.

However – no decision for PM has been made. Depending on situation, part of those forces may be used to take the Fidshis first.

Nothing else to report.

Cheers