Operation Point Luck - Team Game (Allied side)

[ctangus]

Is it just me, or do turns arrive 3 at a time when I'm busy, or not at all when I have free time? So, here's a more detailed update:

Chuck Kai-Shek Area Report

The front near Hankow is adjusting slightly. And the Chinese had some minor success both on the ground at Hangchow & in the air over Hong Kong. (Well, the latter was AVG.)

Here's my best VSWG imitation:





An advance on Nanchang will be ordered from both the west & southeast tomorrow.

[KDonovan]

In truth I was counting on Force Z to auto-disband - Darren's been avoiding attacking Singapore - I suspect he wants to avoid all the AA there. I was flying a minimal amount of CAP.

auto-disband function is kinda wierd. I believe it only works at the end of the turn (after the air attacks are finished)----i probably should've mentioned that[X(]

oh well....now give me the CA Exeter [:D]

[ny59giants]

I will be following the combat in China closely. It is a lot different than stock. [X(]  I hope you do well there!!

I had played 1EyedDuck in a short lived PBEM (computer problems) and know that he likes to stay around PH for some time to try to sink those BB's. [:D]  Hopefully, he has learned how to deploy his subs better as my old DD's (only ones with an ASW factor of 4) had sunk about 7 subs for 1 DD. [&o][&o]

[KDonovan]

Combat Report - Dec 15th-16th, 1941

Nothing much to report....Alo Star fell to Japanese invaders, the Allies have fallen back to Georgtown behind level 3 forts. In the Phillipines San Fernando fell to the Japanese, and in the south, Jap troops advance on Lucena, which is currently being defended by 2 PA Divisions.

Elsewhere, Japanese subs continue to pick off lone transports in and around SRA, while Manila harbor continues to be pounded. The KB has for now disappeared from our radar screens, mostly likely location is to the west of Johnston and Palamyra Islands, possibly heading south.

Operation Hornets Nest

Below details a joint American, New Zealand, Australain, British, Chinese operation to hit the undefend port of Camranh Bay. So far the Austrlians and New Zealands are on board, but the Americans, British, Chinese (ie Scott and Chuck) have yet to commit [:D]

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I will be following the combat in China closely. It is a lot different than stock. [X(] I hope you do well there!!

I had played 1EyedDuck in a short lived PBEM (computer problems) and know that he likes to stay around PH for some time to try to sink those BB's. [:D] Hopefully, he has learned how to deploy his subs better as my old DD's (only ones with an ASW factor of 4) had sunk about 7 subs for 1 DD. [&o][&o]

Thanks for the good wishes in China! I might need it...

It certainly is different than stock: who's surrounding who? I think, or at least hope, I will do well. I've now started 4 CHS games (1 besides this is still ongoing). This is the first CHS game I've started, however, where I've known what I'm doing in China from the start.

I hope to own Nanchang, Ichang & Kaifeng by the end of January. We'll see.

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: KDonovan

Combat Report - Dec 15th-16th, 1941

Nothing much to report....Alo Star fell to Japanese invaders

Alor Star - Ouch! Not even Christmas '42 and I've suffered two forced retreats in Malaya. [:(] I've initiated Operation Run for the Hills.

Operation Hornets Nest

Below details a joint American, New Zealand, Australain, British, Chinese operation to hit the undefend port of Camranh Bay. So far the Austrlians and New Zealands are on board, but the Americans, British, Chinese (ie Scott and Chuck) have yet to commit [:D]

I've committed 60% of what Kenny asked for, plus a Catalina squadron for recon. The Blenheims remain tasked for the defence of Malaya, however. I still want to hold Singers until at least March 15th, but that's a pipe dream if I don't start slowing the Japanese down some.

[scott64]

Operation Wienie Roast has started. [:'(] [X(][:D]

[scott64]

We had more crew getting drunk on Philippine beer and women than flying the mission. [:'(] [8|][X(]

Allied aircraft
IL-4c x 12
Hudson I x 30
---------------------------
Allied aircraft losses
IL-4c: 11 damaged
Hudson I: 6 damaged
---------------------------
Ships damaged
AO Syoyo Maru, Bomb hits 1
AP Shoho Maru, Bomb hits 1

Mission was a failure [:'(]

[ctangus]

Maybe I should have sent the Blenheims... [:(]

Well, at the least it should keep our opponents watching their flanks & rear, and spread out their CAP a little bit.

[VSWG]

Just great, another AAR with nice pictures and excellent strategies to keep an eye on! More spare time going down the drain! [:@]

[;)]

This looks really fun, looking forward to my own team game. [:)]

ORIGINAL: ctangus

Here's my best VSWG imitation:

[:D] Very nice.

ORIGINAL: KDonovan

In truth I was counting on Force Z to auto-disband - Darren's been avoiding attacking Singapore - I suspect he wants to avoid all the AA there. I was flying a minimal amount of CAP.

auto-disband function is kinda wierd. I believe it only works at the end of the turn (after the air attacks are finished)----i probably should've mentioned that[X(]

oh well....now give me the CA Exeter [:D]

The rule is really simple: if you really need the auto-disband feature, it won't work. Trust me... [8|]

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: VSWG

Just great, another AAR with nice pictures and excellent strategies to keep an eye on!

Hmmm... Are you sure you posted this on the right thread? [;)][:'(]

This looks really fun, looking forward to my own team game. [:)]

Yea, it is a lot of fun. The negotiations are as enjoyable as the play against the enemy. My teammates are good guys & we share a common goal, but we have our own self-interested viewpoints.

BTW, Kenny, O-20 has replenished at Trincomalee & is headed back to you. But no - you can't have Exeter! [:'(] However, I do plan to lend her to you after she's no longer useful defending Kuching - that is if she's still afloat. Would you mind if I park her & her escorts in Palembang for a few turns?

12/17 - 12/18/42

Those d@mned Americans continue to lose a lot of ships to subs & carrier-based air near the Phillipines. On to more important theaters (mine [;)]):

Malaya

Operation Run for the Hills is proceeding. Not very exciting but I'm now withdrawing everybody to JB. I hope to hold there for a few turns & hopefully withdraw to Singers before I suffer another forced retreat.

Burma

The Japanese advance here seems to be light. Recon planes have only identified 1 brigade & 1 HQ unit so far. 3 unidentified units are advancing also.

From what I can tell, Darren is concentrating on Malaya before Burma (smart move IMO). I'd like to take advantage of the apparent Japanese weakness here, but I haven't yet figured out how to do so.

China

A Japanese unit has marched to the SE of Nanchang. I have 3 Corps there, but they're woefully inexperienced & are a little short on supply. A bombardment attack has been ordered to gain intel on what I'm facing.

8 Chinese Corps are continuing their advance on Nanchang. I should be able to take it. With a little luck I can also surround & eliminate entirely the Japanese unit that just advanced.

A little further north I'm also advancing on Ichang. Should be about a month before we see combat there, however.

Even further north I just ordered the Chinese advance towards Kaifeng. 5 (low-experience) Chinese Corps vs. 2 Japanese units. I'm not sure how they'll do but at least it will help me keep the initiative in this theater. 2-3 weeks until combat starts.

The map should help a bit to show what I just mentioned. The map is cluttered, but so is China in CHS this early in the game:

[ctangus]

12/19 - 12/20/42

Malaya

Georgetown falls, defended only by its fort unit. Operation Run for the Hills is going well. 75,000 Japanese troops (3 Divs +) are advancing down the west coast of Malaya.

And my level bombers score a devastating blow against a Japanese capital ship. The war is surely won, now:

Day Air attack on TF, near Singora at 24,43
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 13
Allied aircraft
Swordfish x 10
Buffalo I x 11
Hudson I x 4
No Japanese losses
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish: 5 damaged
Buffalo I: 5 damaged
Japanese Ships
CL Sendai, Bomb hits 1
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo

Burma

Recon planes have identified a second Japanese brigade advancing on Moulmein.

China

Both General Darren & Chuck Kai-Shek have made a mistake near Nanchang. I've sent a Chinese Corps into Nanchang several days ahead of my main body of troops. I expect a forced retreat tomorrow.

Darren sent a Japanese brigade to the southeast of Nanchang, against 3 Chinese Corps:

12/19/41
Ground combat at 48,39
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 7351 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 196
Defending force 25779 troops, 132 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 688
Japanese max assault: 189 - adjusted assault: 120
Allied max defense: 721 - adjusted defense: 261
Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
231 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
35 casualties reported

Stuffed again! Even better - I should be able to keep that unit surrounded and eliminate it entirely. I need to take Nanchang first, however, as I'll need the supply path open from Central China.

[KDonovan]

Combat Report Dec 21st, Dec 22nd

Japanese continue to advance down the Mayala pennisula as allied forces pull back to Johura Bahu. Meanwhile, the baby KB raids the northern coast of Borneo sinking shipping. 2 Japanese BB TF's also appear in Borneo waters, 1 takes up a position near Kuching and wipes out half the PT boats stationed there. The other BB TF gaurds the straight between Jolo and Borneo. Elsewhere Luzon continues to be enveloped by japaneses forces as the bulk of allied forces have been forced back to Clark field/Manila/Bataan. Minidano, Celebes, New Guinea....still untouched by japanese forces. Location of KB still unknown.

[KDonovan]

Kuching will be defended fearcly. As the map shows all TB bombers in theatre will be deployed to drive off the japanese BB's. If that happens then the PT boats along with level bombers can be moved in the drive off the invasion TF

[KDonovan]

as i continue to wait for turns to fill my inbox, here's my defense of DEI.



Chuck may lend me the use of a Gurhka Bde, and i have available an Australian Bde. Any ideas on where to deploy them? Java?Palambang?Timor?PM?...so many choices

[ctangus]

ORIGINAL: KDonovan

Chuck may lend me the use of a Gurhka Bde, and i have available an Australian Bde. Any ideas on where to deploy them? Java?Palambang?Timor?PM?...so many choices

China! [:'(] (I must say I'm biased towards that theater...)

Off the top of my head I'd suggest this: send the Aussie Bde to Koepang as a strategic reserve. It could be flown to Amboina/Kendari/etc. if it might do some good. And I'd be happy to lend you the transport aircraft I'm currently using. (After all, they were originally yours! [:)])

The Gurkhas, if they don't go to Singapore, might similarly do well as a reserve on Java. Maybe at Tjilitjap? They could then help defend east or west Java, depending on where the initial Jap landings occur.

[ctangus]

Malaya

Operation Run for the Hills is proceeding well - I should be able to get everyone to JB before the Japanese. Also Repulse is now down to 44 Flt damage - I might save her yet.

There's a large Japanese force coming down western Malaya. However Kota Bharu only holds one Japanese unit, which must be some sort of base force. I'm tempted to send 1 brigade to try to take it back. Next turn I'll fly some recon & then I'll decide for sure.



China

Operations Egg Roll, Lo Mein and Peking Duck are proceeding on schedule.

[scott64]

Update
US Army/Navy HQ
Pearl Harbor 1300 Hours

Midway
1 B-17 Squadron
1 PBY Catalina Squadron
1 CD Unit
1 BF
1 Division unloading

Johnston Island
1 PBY Catalina Squadron
1 BF

Palmyra Island
1 B-17 Squadron
1 PBY Catalina Squadron
1 BF

Christmas Island
1 PBY Catalina Squadron
1 BF

Canton Island
1 PBY Catalina Squadron
1 BF
3 ART units [X(][:'(][:D]

Suva
1 CD unit
1 INF unit

Pago Pago
1 PBY Catalina Squadron
1 BF
1 CD unit
1 Battalion

Noumea
1 INF unit

Defense of Alaska
Bases to be built
Adak Island
Amchika Island
Attu Island

Bases to be expanded
Cold Bay

End briefing

[scott64]

Operation Wienie Roast is progressing nicely. [:'(]

[KDonovan]

Combat Report - Dec. 23rd - Dec 26th, 1942

Last two turns, saw that Japanese miling about the northern and western coasts of Borneo. At Kuching..Vildebeest's, Swordfish, and Tiva's failed to score any major hits against Japanese shipping, despite 4 days of attacks. Only 1 torp hit against a Jap CA was reported, which barely scratched the paint. Surprisingly though, no troops landed at Kuching [&:]

Over at Sandakan a small Japanese convoy attempted to land troops but were driven away by the CL Boise, CL Marblehead, and 5 DD's, sinking a couple escort vessels, and a Destroyer, and heavily damaging another DD. A dutch sub later put a fish into a transport.

Elsewhere troops landed at Brueni and Hollandia, which will be fall next turn. Japanese also continue their advance down the Mayala pennisula, with allied units retreating to Jora Burha. In the phillipinnes japanese continue to consildate their gains on Luzon....Manila is soon to be under siege.

Quiet areas still include Southern PI, Celebes, New Guinea, and SOPAC