VSWG vs ctangus - Into the Heart of Darkness

[VSWG]

I've added the last battle (Repulse vs. Convoy) and uploaded new screenshots in order to fix some spelling errors and factual mistakes. For instance, BC Repulse didn't fire a TT against Takao, but against a destroyer guarding the convoy - and the torpedo hit!! [X(] [:D] Am I the first one to have a battlecruiser score a torpedo hit?

Also I forgot to mention what all those lines in the screenshots represent:

Thick lines: fire from caliber 8in and above
Thin lines: fire from caliber 6in and below (not all shots are displayed)
Dotted lines: torpedoes fired (but not necessarily hits)

Kereguelen,
vielen Dank! [:)] The Japanese BB TF sunk some PT boats last turn. So yes, they had been in combat before, but no, they were not out of main gun ammo. IIRC not a single 14in shell was fired by the three battleships against the PT boats. By now Chuck and I have exchanged several emails about this battle: Tanaka was in command of the battleships, and they were in a surface combat TF. Only the cruiser TF had orders to bombard Kuching that day, and this certainly explains the bad performance of this TF against the inferior and inexperienced US Navy TF (bombardment TFs behave 'strange' during surface combat).

Vetamur,
this is indeed a known issue and discussed in several threads. I urge you (and everyone interested in the basics of the surface combat engine) to read Tom Hunter's 'Naval Gunnery Thread'. Tom explains how the AI pairs ships, and why it is better to send several small TFs against a superior enemy - against common sense!

tm.asp?m=1080410

I did not deliberately exploit this quirk of the surface combat engine by splitting PoW, Repulse and Houston into three TFs. I would have added Repulse to the PoW TF if she had arrived on time at Pontianak, and Houston was supposed to attack at daylight. I've talked with Chuck about this, and we will both continue to form our surface combat TFs as we think it would have happened in real life, and not to maximise results in the WitP engine.

ny59giants,
great success indeed! This will change the situation in the DEI quite a lot, now I just have to figure out what changes, and how much! [:D]

csatahajos,
keep in mind that there are Nells flying from Saigon and Kota Bharu, and I have no doubt lots of I-boats are closing in. Tomorrow I'll lose Kuching (it almost fell today), and then I have to rely on inefficient LRCAP to cover my ships. I'll look into it as soon as I have the turn, though, I definitely want to hunt some cripples and have another shot at the invasion convoy, but I doubt I will risk anything larger than a CA.

niceguy2005,
Tanaka commanded the Japanese battleships, and I have no doubt Chuck selected all captains by hand. I'm afraid he didn't make a single mistake which could explain this lopsided victory. In hindsight I didn't make any mistake either, so I guess it all boiled down to sheer LUCK!

bradfordkay,
LOL! I guess I've used up all my luck regarding SC engagement until 1944. OTOH, this might just be revenge for Pearl Harbor and the 4 US battleships sunk there.

[VSWG]

Here's the full AAR for the day...

Dec. 18th, 1941

CBI:

Nothing to report. All the action is in the...

Asiatic Areas:

Here's a list of the Japanese ships participating in the Battle of Kuching:

BB Fuso, Shell hits 22, on fire, heavy damage, and is sunk
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 26, and is sunk
CL Kashii, Shell hits 22, and is sunk
DD Harukaze, Shell hits 44, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

BB Yamashiro, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
DD Arashio, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Asagiri, Shell hits 9, on fire, heavy damage
DD Murasame, Shell hits 8, on fire, heavy damage
DD Yudachi, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

CA Atago, Shell hits 4
CA Ashigara, Shell hits 1
CA Takao, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Yura, Shell hits 4, on fire
DD Michishio, Shell hits 7, on fire
DD Yugiri, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Oshio, Shell hits 1
DD Matsukaze, Shell hits 1
PG Sozan Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire

I doubt that Yamashiro will make it, PoW scored several penetrating 14in hits in addition to the 2 torpedoes. 4 T.IVa's launched their torpedoes against Yamashiro, but didn't hit - too bad. A couple of destroyers should sink, too, especially as KXV already caught the first cripple: she put a TT into DD Yudachi.

The situation of my fleet at Kuching. So far I've only lost 2 destroyers, Electra and Barker. CL Durban and DD Edsall don't look good either. Prince of Wales doesn't even have a single point of sys damage [:D], but A LOT of my ships will need some serious yard time [:(]. I'm not sure if the repair yards in India can handle so many ships...



Here's an overview over my battle ready surface combat forces in the DEI:



Quite a powerful force, but a little short on (good) DDs. Kuching will fall today, but Kendari has been reinforced with Dutch garrison units and base forces, and has 600 mines. Balikpapan is next on the list. Kendari, Balikpapan and Palembang are the bases that will be defended at all cost. I would also like to defend Amboina and (after the fall of Kuching) Singkawang, but I doubt that I have enough forces to do so. Especially since a large Japanese fleet is already gathering north of Amboina, covered by Mini KB:



Luckily the area is packed with Allied subs, and I've got 50 Hudsons on naval attack at Amboina - Mini KB is still flying Claudes (!!), they might actually hit something.

Back to Kuching. The ground attack nearly took the base, no chance of holding it. [:(]

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 18608 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 208
Defending force 4823 troops, 20 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 94

Japanese max assault: 206 - adjusted assault: 277
Allied max defense: 83 - adjusted defense: 91

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Japanese ground losses:
249 casualties reported
Guns lost 6

Allied ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Guns lost 2

In other news, another AK hit a mine at Kuching today (heavy damage, 104 casualties reported [:)]), and SS Trusty torpedoed AP Kaihei Maru not far away.

In the Philippines Vildebeests (heavily escorted by P40s) flew against the convoy near Naga (now 1 hex away) and scored 1 hit on AP Harada Maru and AP Tamaki Maru (casualties reported), and also agaisnt an ASW TF at Vigan:

APD Patrol Boat No. 32, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
APD Patrol Boat No. 33, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

Nice!

Pacific Areas:

Well, see for yourself:



Today a fast transport TF dropped off the CD unit at Palmyra, tomorrow the unit at Canton Island arrives. They won't be able to defeat any invasions, but at least they should damage some ships and wear down the Japanese troops, so that they cannot stage multiple invasions within a short amount of time.

Near Rabaul some Japanese carriers popped up!! [X(] Luckily no planes flew (Chuck really had a bad day), I had the entire ANZAC cruiser force in port! Most of them were ordered full speed to the south, others are sneaking to Lae, but the carriers might catch them...

[veji1]

Chuck must be crying right now...

[VSWG]

ORIGINAL: veji1

Chuck must be crying right now...

He's heartbroken... [:D] But I have to add that he didn't complain at all, and has already found his humor again. He'll manage... [;)]

Here's what I'm currently dreaming about: [:)]



Mutsu was spotted covering the Ambonia fleet. A week ago she formed a TF with Nagato at Cagayan, where Mutsu was hit by a torpedo from a British destroyer - apparently for no damage. Also present (Myoko has been sighted) is the cruiser TF that covered the Manado landing:

CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Chokai
CL Nagara
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze
DD Shiokaze
DD Sagiri

That are 3 Nachi and 1 Takao class cruisers... In the same hex my Hudsons sighted CL Natori, CL Kiso, DD Hatsuyuki and DD Yukaze, maybe another light cruiser TF?

I can escort my battleline with 1 Kent class and 10 light cruisers of diverse classes. I'll have radar, too.

Anyway, so far it's just a dream. MiniKB is covering this force, and I don't see how Revenge will be able to make it out of the Kate's range after the battle. On the other hand the sub-infested waters around Ambonia would be an excellent battlefield for me: the enemy has only level 3 airfields in range.

An alternative strategy would be the 'fleet in being' approach, and hide my fleet at Soerabaja. Chuck would be forced to heavily guard all his invasions in the DEI just in case my battleline comes for a visit.

As always suggestions and ideas are welcome.

[VSWG]

Dec. 19th, 1941

CBI:

Again, nothing to report.

Asiatic Areas:

Malaya: Chuck has 4 divisons advancing on Singapore.



2 tank units had arrived at the crossroad hex yesterday but were defeated by my stack - a small victory in Malaya! However my adjusted AV was very low, so I guess it's no use defending Singapore in this wooden hex. All troops are ordered to retreat to Johore Bahru. An Indian Bde got caught at Kuala Lumpur when Chuck took the city today, however it should make it south via the western road.

A supply convoy from Palembang is on its way covered by Buffalos on LRCAP. Initialy I wanted to wait some more days and then send a larger convoy, but with Kuching in Japanese hands I think it's better so send as much supplies/oil/res. as possible now.

Kuching: As expected the base fell, so tomorrow the Nell terror over the western DEI will begin. [:(] My cripples are all disbanded at Pontianak, they still have fires and flood damage! Some Buffalos are all the CAP I can muster... The hunt for Japanese cripples scored only a small success: O20 sunk AP Tatsuma Maru with 2 torpedoes. Several subs are in good position to attack enemy ships today though. I-10 sunk DD Express near Batavia with 2 torpedoes. Express had hit a mine at Palembang a week ago and was heavily damaged.

Eastern DEI: The convoy is moving south to Ambonia, and the Hudsons jumped on Mini KB - with success!!



Two transport of the Ambonia convoy were torpedoed: AK Hinode Maru (1 TT) by SS Snapper and SS Sturgeon torpedoed AK Momoha Maru (1 TT) - my torpedoes are exploding just fine! [:'(]

Philippines: Chuck invaded at Naga and Legaspi. I've ordered a shock attack at Naga since he had high casualties and there should be no HQ unit in range. It's a wooden hex though so I think the chances are rather slim, but it's worth a try, I guess...

Vildebeests from Manila harrassed the Japanese ships at Naga, and AP Baikal Maru was hit by 2, AK Kakuzan Maru by 1 torpedo.

In northern Luzon the Japanese army took Lingayen after my troops had retreated to Clark Field. On Mindanao Dadjangas fell today, the last stand of the Filipino Division from Davao.



Pacific Areas:

The ANZAC cruiser TF moved only 2 hexes south from Rabaul today. [:@][:@][:@] I checked yesterday's turn and it should have moved 12 (!!!) hexes! Of course the Japanese carriers found and attacked the ships. This hurts...

Day Air attack on TF at 62,92
 
Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 28
B5N2 Kate x 28
 
Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 7 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed, 13 damaged
 
Allied Ships
CL Leander, Bomb hits 7, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
CA Canberra, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire
DD Le Triomphant
CL Achilles, Bomb hits 5,  on fire

For tomorrow I've divided the ships into small TFs, each heading to a differnet direction.



Tarawa was invaded today and fell to the 51st Naval Guard and the 5th NFL. A fast transport TF will unload a CD unit at Canton Island today, severl DM are also in the area, ready to mine the base, but I expect that the remaining 4 carriers of KB will come for a visit.

[String]

Ouch ouch ouch, you are causing the japanese player SO much pain.

2 BB's lost, mini KB damaged, third BB damaged.. ouch.

[fcam1387]

Nice playing. Providing you don't screw up big time, he is not going to be able to make up for those crippling losses and you may have significantly slowed the Japanese expansion.

[VSWG]

Yes, I'm inflicting losses alright, without having lost too many valuable ships (not counting the 4 Pearl Harbor BBs). I couldn't delay the Japanese advance so far though, he's moving fast and concentrated. Ambonia will fall quickly, too, and then he can cover his advance in the DEI with LBA from level 4 airfields. Still thinking about another surface combat engagement with Force Z near the Moluccas, but I would really like to have the PoW and Repulse alive in 1942 for once - they could cause a lot of trouble in the Pacific as fast raiders.

If I manage to keep my own shipping losses down and continue to attrit his forces it is looking good for 1943.

[VSWG]

Dec. 20th, 1941

CBI:

Paratroopers took Port Blair today.

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The convoy was waiting for bad weather since several days to unload the troops at Port Blair. I had expected a paradrop here, Chuck cut my air transfer route between India and Malaya by dropping paras on Victoria Point and Tavoy, and he wants to keep it shut. Now the Gurkhas will have to retake the base. They definitely have the assault value to do this, but there are almost no supplies in this convoy since I didn't expect a hostile landing.

Asiatic Areas:

Philippines: The shock attack at Naga failed. Bummer, lets see if Chuck counter-attacks immediately. Disruption is bad, but casualties aren't, so this is a big chance for him to force an immediate retreat into Manila.

Ground combat at Naga
 
Allied Shock attack
 
Attacking force 15020 troops, 123 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 489 
Defending force 28438 troops, 114 guns, 77 vehicles, Assault Value = 528
 
Allied max assault: 830 - adjusted assault: 281  
Japanese max defense: 564 - adjusted defense: 559
 
Allied assault odds: 0 to 1  
 
Japanese ground losses:
94 casualties reported
Guns lost 3
 
Allied ground losses:
607 casualties reported
Guns lost 23

He took Legaspi, no surprise here. The Filipino divison and an artillery unit surrendered. The last undefended base in northern Luzon, Baguio, was taken by the 4th Div. Soon the siege of Clark Field will begin.

Finally he attacked on Jolo Island, where we have been both reinforcing our troops via air bridge. Since several turns I have shifted the focus from Jolo Island to Cagayan though and used several tiny AKs to transport parts and bits of a Filipino divisions from Cebu Island to Cagayan. I've manged to land more than 25 AV so far, which will be tripled by the mountain bonus, but he found out about this and now Kates from Davao and a light SC TF are taking their toll on the AKs. They are expendable...

Malaya: the retreat to Johore Bahru was not disturbed today. The supply convoy from Palembang damaged I-158 with a penetrating hit and several near misses and will arrive today at Singapore.

Western DEI: All my cripples of the Battle of Kuching are disbanded into Pontianak harbor, only DD Edsall was sunk by Nells from Kuching. These planes have now started their reign of terror in the western DEI. Here are the first victims:

PC Circe and AP Manoora near Batavia (1 torp. each) from the aborted Kuching reinforcement convoy - heavy damage.
DD Edsall (which would have probably sunk anyway) - sunk
MSW Boeroe (3 TT) and MSW Cheribon (2 TT) at Singapore, while sweeping mines before the supply convoy arrives tomorrow. Luckily they are cheap Dutch MSW, not the good British ASW minesweepers - both sunk immediately
TK Angelina (1 bomb hit), near Balikpapan - slight damage

Of course this cannot continue. The cripples have to leave Pontianak NOW, high float damage or not! Then I have to retreat all shipping from the Tarakan/Balikpapan and Palembang areas, and everything in the Java Sea must be CAP'ed and escorted from now on. Most of the Dutch LCUs are where I want them to be, but I will have to run several more supply and fuel convoys before I can evacuate all merchant shipping from the DEI. Losses will be inevitable.

So this would have been a bad day in the DEI, but this sight compensates me for everything: [:D][:D]

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The third battleship sunk by PoW's guns!! I feel the urge to tuck her away in San Francisco and cover her in gold dust... [;)]

SS KVI, hunting cripples in the China Sea, missed DD Oshio with a spread of torpedoes before this happened:

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[/align][align=center]CA Ashigara, undamaged in the Battle of Kuching, shortly before being hit by a Dutch torpedo in the South China Sea.
The torpedo inflicted no serious damage on the Myoko Class cruiser.
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Ambonia: Chuck invaded Ambonia and Boela today. Sadly no hits by my submarines, and SS Snapper was heavily damaged by an ASW TF. B17s from Kendari hit AP Ujigawa Maru with a bomb though. A cruiser TF caused lots of damage on Ambonia, but he keeps the battleships in a SC TF - Force Z arrived in Soerabaja and has now refueled. Tomorrow I'll decide what to do here. The good news is that Chuck has retreated Mini KB and now relies on Zeros on LRCAP from Amboina. There goes his air cover...

Pacific Areas:

The horror, the horror... [:(] Again, CL Perth moved only 2 hexes instead of 12...

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Notice the 2 Kongos paying a visit to Rabaul.

This was painful to watch, but I guess I would have to double my pain to feel as Chuck did during the Battle of Kuching...

Pacific Areas:

Sub attack near Kwajalein  at 81,84
 
Japanese Ships
TK Hokki Maru, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage (Fuel Cargo Burning!)
 
Allied Ships
SS Triton, hits 5,  on fire *pat

No sign of the large invasion fleet after Tawara fell yesterday, but my fast transport TFs have unloaded their cargo at Canton Island and are now out of harms way.

General Comments:

Here's how Chuck distributed is infantry forces on the map. The only major INF LCUs I cannot locate ATM are the 31st and 33rd Div (Burma Area units, the first almost completely disabled on Dec. 7th), the SSD and the 4th Mixed Bde. The 56th Div. is also uncommited so far (Saigon?).

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5 divisions in the Philippines, 4 in Malaya - quite conservative, but he will reap the benefits of an early conquest of Singapore/Manila in the second half of 1942, when he will have all divisions free for another major offensive. India? Australia? CentPac? Pearl Harbor?

[Rob Brennan UK]

Just caught up ! and WOW .. the POW is a good ship but i have never seen her do that well ! congratulations.

Hosho must be sinking and that a bonus too, no zeros on any CVE's .. bad mistake geting too close to you there.

Instead of you asking any of us for advice, why not just re-name this thread as an Allied Masterclass on DEI agressive defence. Even more astonishing against chuck as he's a more than competant player imo.

again WOW !

[VSWG]

ORIGINAL:  Rob Brennan UK

Instead of you asking any of us for advice, why not just re-name this thread as an Allied Masterclass on DEI agressive defence. Even more astonishing against chuck as he's a more than competant player imo.

again WOW !

Thanks for the praise, but lets wait until the battle for the DEI is over before evaluating my strategy. [;)] Give me a couple of turns and I'll do something incredible stupid... [:D]

Seriously, the Battle of Kuching was a quirk of the surface combat engine, and delayed the fall of Kuching for one lousy day. Chuck is advancing very fast, and very concentrated. I'll be lucky if I can defend Java until March 1942.

December 21st-22nd, 1941

CBI:

Port Blair: The convoy unloaded all troops during these two days. No attack was ordered on the 21st since the Gurkhas were very low on supplies and the support squads had not been unloaded yet. Chuck evacuated the paras on the 22nd (he didn't know about the supply problem), so the base will be reconquered tomorrow - phew! This comes at a price however, as Nells could attack the convoy without being disturbed by flak/CAP:

AP City of Durban: Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage - 67/60/15
AK Dardanus: mine hit 1, Torpedo hits 1, on fire heavy damage - 78/51/35
PG Indus, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage - SINKS
PG Hindustan, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage - SINKS

A fair trade IMO - tomorrow the air route between India and Malaya will be open, and Chuck will be forced to launch a full invasion if he wants to close it again. It will be difficult to keep Port Blair supplied, but I have some fast AKs that should be able to make the run during bad weather.

Burma: I've moved the Blenheims to Moulmein and bombed Bangkok's HI in order to force him to CAP his industry in the area. Chuck retaliated by bombing some Chinese resource centers and said he would continue if I would keep bombing his industry... I replied that he can bomb as much as he wants in China. After the raid on Bangkok the Blenheim IVs flew a ground attack mission against Port Blair and inflicted some casualties.

China: The ground movement engine is driving me insane... today a Chinese Corps crossed a river, shock attacked Kiukiang and suffered horrible casualties. This was the leading LCU of a large stack that would have taken the city if all units would arrive together, but suddenly this Corps marched the remaining miles with twice the speed. At least it this attack informed me about the garrison of the base. I'm still trying to encircle the Japanese troops in central China. So far this is done by the guerilla units, now I try to reinforce these units with regular corps.

Asiatic Areas:

Malaya: Malacca falls, and the defending 22nd Indian Brigade surrenders. All Allied troops are now in Johore Bahru. The convoy from Palembang arrived and unloaded its cargo while the Buffalos on CAP tried to protect it from Nells/Bettys, without much success:

AK Alfoer, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage - 64/70/0
AK Merkus, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire - 51/20/0
AK Togian, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy damage - 43/49/0
PG Scorpion, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage - 97/29/0
MSW Bendigo, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage - SINKS

There are now 33,000 supplies in Singapore, 9,000 in Johore Bahru and enough oil/res. to produce 5,200 more. I'll try to push another convoy through in a couple of days, I think it is worth the losses.

Other victims of the daily Nell/Betty terror were SC OJR-1 and PC Albatros (both ships sink) in the Batavia hex, part of an ASW TF that was attacked despite being CAP'ed by Brewsters. Several already badly damaged AKs also sink in the DEI during these 2 days.

But there's good news from the DEI, too! All cripples survived a Japanese raid on Pontianak thanks to the sacrifice of our fighters:

Day Air attack on Pontianak
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 48
B5N2 Kate x 8
G3M Nell x 19
Ki-46-II Dinah x 3
 
Allied aircraft
Brewster 339D x 13
Buffalo I x 1
 
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 6 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
Brewster 339D: 10 destroyed
Buffalo I: 1 damaged
 
Port supply hits 2

The followind day all ships made the run to Soerabaja without being attacked or even spotted by Japanese planes and submarines! Only CL Curban and AP Speelman are still at Pontianak, too damaged to make the run south (Marblehead: 61/89/0, Speelman: 37/69/0). I need some bad weather to evacuate these ships...

On the Japanese side another destroyer didn't suvive the Battle of Kuching: DD Arashio sunk near Miri.

Force Z is still at Soerabaja - they won't sortie against Ambonia, the base already fell.



In this screenshot you can see how many subs I have in the area - sadly the last 2 days have been quite frustrating for my submarine skippers. We had dozens of attacks, but only 1 hit. On the other hand no submarine was damaged by Japanese ASW TFs, too. Here's a list of all submarine and ASW action:



The Hudsons and B17s flying from Kendari against the transports at Ambonia hit only 2 AKs with 1 bomb each, but at least they are gaining experience by these unopposed bombing runs.

Philippines: For now the situation is stable at Naga. Japanese troops will enter Clark Field any day now. AP Baikal Maru and APD Patrol Boat No. 33 sink, both damaged by TBs during the last days.

Pacific Areas:

The 2 Japanese carriers are retreating from Rabaul towards Kwajalein - CL Adelaide, CA Louisville and DD Le Triomphant are the only survivors of the once proud ANZAC cruiser squadron. [:(]

AP Kosho Maru #2 sink near Truk (heavily damaged during the raid on Aitape).

The 61st Naval Gd. and the 101st IJNAF Base Force take Baker Island. No sign of KB...

[VSWG]

Dec. 23rd, 1941

CBI:

For the first time since the war started the Allied "Hooray" resounded across the Pacific! [:)]

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[align=center]Soldiers of the 48th Gurkha Brigade secure Port Blair. All Japanese paratroopers had
evacuated the base the day before, leaving only a couple of guns behind.
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The Armed Merchant Cruiser AP Ranchi hit one of our own mines while unloading the last squads of the base force [8|], and in the evening the burning ship was found by Nells and torpedoed - 43/69/18.

In China Ichang will be occupied by Chinese troops tomorrow.

Asiatic Areas:

A quiet day in Malaya and the DEI. DD Asagiri sinks near Saigon after being sabotaged by 1LT Van der Elst, a Dutch spy who took over command of the ship after Asagiri's commander died in the Battle of Kuching. [;)]

Near Amboina everything is ready for the ambush on the Nagatos.

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I've set the LB from Kendari to attack the air field, so Chuck will assume that I want to keep Amboina closed. Since the most effective way to do this is naval bombardment by battleships, he will expect me to send PoW and Repulse, too. Therefore he will leave Mutsu and Nagato at Amboina (I hope), without effective CAP - the ideal situation for the Swordfish and T.IVa's!!

In the Philippines a Japanese attack at Naga reduced the forts after heavy air attacks by Japanese LBA from northern Luzon. I should have CAP'ed my troops with fighters from Manila (AVG and all USAFFE fighters), then he would have not achieved 2-1 odds.

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Pacific Areas:

Chuck resumes his island hopping campaign on New Guinea and invades Madang.

KB has disapperead more than a week ago, I'm getting nervous. Since there's a lot of activity around the Gilbert islands I will set up a float plane base at Nauru - maybe we can locate KB in the area. Kwajalein is reported to be completely empty...

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Midway has received major reinforcements today: 1 RCT and an artillery regiment + supplies.

[Rob Brennan UK]

LOL, nicking nairu is quite the move .. bet he never saw that coming [:D]

[VSWG]

December 24th, 1941

CBI:

The Blenheims at Moulmein are flying recon over all major bases in Indochina. Maybe this will make Chuck nervous enough to move some fighters into the area to CAP his industry.

Ichang falls. Things start moving here, I'll post a screenshot tomorrow.

Asiatic Areas:

The ambush at Amboina worked! 2 torpedoes hit the mighty Nagato!! [X(] [:D]

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However as the TBs came back from their raid they found Namlea to be in Japanese hands!! [X(] Paratroopers had taken the base in their absence, and the pilots were overwhelmed after landing on the airstrip.

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First of all: Damn... [:@]

Secondly : Now this is funny! [:D] I don't know who outwitted whom here! I lost half of my TBs in the DEI (7 Swordfish, 8 T.IVa's) and a flight of Dutch patrol planes, but I think it was worth it. Nagato should be quite damaged (although the combat report reported no heavy damage), and maybe, just maybe my subs will put another fish into her. You can see in the above screenshot that there's an entire wolfpack in the area.

Speaking of my subs: O19 mined Palau, but suddenly decided to engage an ASW TF: APD Patrol Boat No. 36 was hit by a torpedo and sank immediately. Very good, but now Chuck will sweep Palau immediately.

Another Japanese destroyer sinks near Saigon, this one had hit a mine at Kuching more than a week ago. That is the 13th Japanese destroyer sunk since the war started! [:)]

Today the air campaign against Singapore began:

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The flak over Singapore is murderous even at this height, and all damage except for 3 airfield service points had been repaired overnight. I don't think this is worth the losses (8 Sallys, 5 Lilys).

Philippines: Butuan on Mindanao falls. Only Cagayan remains in Allied hands, but a Catalina squadrons reinforces Cagayan every day with infantry squads from divisions located on the small islands between Luzon and Mindanao.

Kingfisher from Manila found an interesting convoy 180 miles nortwest of Manila today. It consisted of several APs heading southwest, LRCAP'ed by Zeros. Apparently this convoy carries some valuable troops, or Chuck wouldn't fly LRCAP with his precious Zeros over it. But why would he move this convoy so close to Manila? If its destination is Malaya or a base on Borneo there would be no need to move it this close to an active Allied airbase. I've come to the conclusion that this convoy is bound for Lucena! A landing here would cut off my entire Southern Luzon Army from Manila, and would allow Chuck to defeat me one piece at a time.

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I know I'm acting on a whim here, but I decided to retreat from Naga, and move all troops back to Manila. This is were I envy the readers of this AAR, you can now simply go to Chuck's AAR and see if I'm right. [;)]

Pacific Areas:

Madang on New Guinea falls.

A 3000 cap. AK with supplies is only 2 days away from Rabaul, but was spotted by the floatplane tender in the Coral Sea. Lets see if and how Chuck tries to stop the ship.

At Nauru the aviation squads had arrived, and a squadron of Catalinas have moved in. Hopefully this will reveal the position of KB. Let there be light!!

[aztez]

As always Excellent reading! [:)]
 
Nice going with POW and now with BB Nagato! [:D]

[patrickl]

Hi Martin,

Your AAR is very well done - maps, strategy, tactics, etc. [&o][&o][&o]. Highly instructional. Keep up the good work!

Pat

[VSWG]

Thanks for the kind words, aztez and patrickl. [:)] Here's a 4-day update:

Dec. 25th - 28th, 1941

CBI:

In Burma 5 Japanese units, among them a Mixed Bde, are 1 hex away from Moulmein, my first line of defense in Burma. No further sorties by the Blenheims, they are resting in Calcutta and waiting for reinforcements before they will attack Japanese industry in Indochina again.

In China things are starting to become interesting. During the last couple of days Chuck began to react against my now obvious offensive in Central China. As expected he is attacking my flank by massing troops from northern China at Kaifeng, thus threatening to cross the river and cutting my supply path for my troops at Sinyang (1). Furthermore he has moved 11 units out of Canton towards Wuchow and on the road to Hengchow (2).
(1) is a serious threat, and I have to reinforce the hex to the west of Kaifeng with all available troops without abandoning the siege of Sinyang. Fortunately my troops around Yangku (3) keep several Japanese divisions occupied in this area, so I think I can hold the hex west of Kaifeng.
(2) is less serious, since Wuchow is one of the few locations outside of Central China which has been reinforced after Dec. 7th, and more reinforcements are already on their way. The move against Hengchow is a diversion IMO, since I could easily cut the supply path of such an offensive near Wuchow. Should he keep moving his units towards Hengchow I'm might even let him have that city in order to encircle these troops and counter-attack them from Changsha with troops from Central China.

More worrying is that Chuck was able to defeat a Chinese Corps on the wooden hex between Anking and Nanking (4), reopening a supply path from the coast to Central China. He seems to be throwing all available troops from the coast into the area.



In general Chuck hasn't made a mistake in China so far, while I'm seriously handicapped by the ground movement routine. For instance, in order to successfully besiege Nanchang, my troops to the east and to the west would have to enter the hex at the same time to avoid being defeated en detail. Since such a coordinated movement is almost impossible to achieve in WitP I'm having quite some problems in the area. I'm still sticking to my plans, though, and I think as soon as I can bring the large army around Ichang into action (5) I can apply a lot of pressure on Central China. Should something go wrong, I can retreat anytime, and form a defensive line that will be hard (if not impossible) to break for the Japanese.

In other words no major combat has taken place so far, but we are both moving large stacks of troops around in order to achieve a superior position before attacking. Only a small battle was fought at Wenchow (6), which ended with an Allied victory: Chuck sent half of an Bde to this base, assuming that I had abandoned it. Instead, the Japanese were immediately routed by the defending Chinese Corps:

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 12/26/41

Ground combat at Wenchow
 
Allied Deliberate attack
 
Attacking force 8685 troops, 54 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 268 
Defending force 3151 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 94
 
Allied max assault: 281 - adjusted assault: 242  
Japanese max defense: 94 - adjusted defense: 16
 
Allied assault odds: 15 to 1

Japanese ground losses:
158 casualties reported, Guns lost 2
 
Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported, Guns lost 4 
 
Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

In the air war the CAF, which had so far been resting in Chungking and Chengtu, flew its first sorties against the Japanese and achieved a victory on the 26th by intercepting 2 poorly escorted strikes against Wuchow:

Day Air attack on Wuchow, at 42,39
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 12
Ki-51 Sonia x 12
 
Allied aircraft
I-153c x 7
I-16c x 21
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 9 damaged
Ki-51 Sonia: 2 destroyed, 8 damaged
 
Allied aircraft losses
I-153c: 1 destroyed
 
Airbase supply hits 1
------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on 52nd Chinese Corps, at 42,39
 
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27 Nate x 32
 
Allied aircraft
I-153c x 7
I-16c x 21
 
Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27 Nate: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged
 
Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported

Several Japanese planes were destroyed, and it looks like the CAF will soon have its first Ace: 1LT M. Zuolin (Exp. 75) of the 29th CAF Squadron has already 3 kills! [:D] All squadrons have returned to Chungking to prepare for the next hit and run attack.

Asiatic Areas:

Malaya: On the 25th the last remnants of the 22nd Indian Bde were overwhelmed by the 2nd Tank Rgt at Kuantan - only Johore Bahrun, Mersing (undefended) and Singapore remain in Allied hands. Right now Chuck is massing his army at Johore Bahru, but hasn't attacked so far. Several smaller air raids on Singapore resulted in no damage to Allied installations, but many damaged Japanese planes. These raids have stopped for now, instead the Allied troops at Johore Bahru are subject to ground attack missions flown by IJA bombers.

DEI: To cut it short: nothing has happened here! [X(] Chuck has retreated all shipping from Amboina, and the airfield is kept closed by Hudsons flying from Kendari. However the entire Japanese Navy seems to be either at Saigon (150+ ships) or Palau (250+ ships), with only few ships reported at Truk and Kwajalein!!! I will probably see a massive offensive in the DEI during the next days... I've used the time to rest most of my squadrons at Soerabaja. Force Z was at Bali, ready to jump towards Ambonia, but will now return to Soerabaja since a sub has appeared in the hex. I somewhat doubt that I'll sortie Force Z against such a mass of Japanese ships. The good news: the 4 squadrons of B17s attached to Southeast Asia HQ from the West Coast have arrived at Soerabaja, so I can field almost 100 4Es in the DEI now. If Chuck delays his offensive for another day or two, I might try to flatten Kuching airfield.

I lost few ships in the DEI during these days (summary below), only a reinforcement convoy for Balikpapan was attacked by Nells since I forgot to provide CAP. [8|]

Day Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 31,64
 
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14
G3M Nell x 13
 
Japanese aircraft losses
G3M Nell: 1 damaged
 
Allied Ships
AK Toradja, Torpedo hits 1
ML Soemenep, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
AP Van Landsberge, Torpedo hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage
AK Minjak, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage

Another valuable minelayer lost. At least the troops (1 base force and a small garrison unit from Pamakasan) had already been unloaded.

Philippines: Well, I was right about the invasion of Lucena, on the 25th the 38th Division was unloaded here - that's the 4th Japanese divison on Luzon plus a divison on Mindanao! Chuck wants to conquer Manila quickly! I had ordered all troops at Naga to retreat to Lucena, but 3 of the 6 units (31st Reserve Div, 31st US RCT and the 88th US FA Rgt) didn't make it. These troops were cut off at Naga and surrendered when the base fell on the 26th. At that time all troops were ordered to retreat to Manila. On the 27th Clark Field fell (and with it 11,000 supplies - too bad, but since there is nothing I could do about it there's no use to cry over spilled milk), on the 28th Lucena. During the next days the siege of Manila will begin.

A squadron of Kingfisher flew several naval attack missions against Japanese convoys and damaged the following ships with 250 lb GP bombs:

AK Hide Maru, Bomb hits 2,  on fire
MSW Banshu Maru #51, Bomb hits 2,  on fire,  heavy damage - SINKS
MSW Hinode Maru #18, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
MSW Asahi Maru #2, Bomb hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage

Very nice, they are gaining experience quickly. The fighter squadrons are slowly being flown out to Java, to defend the island against the coming offensives.

Pacific Areas:

Borneo: Hollandia was conquered by the 53rd Const Bn on the 28th.

SWPac: CA Louisville succesfully escaped to Australia, but a Nell from Truk flying at extreme range managed to hit her with a 250 kg AP bomb for moderate damage. At Port Moresby several AKs and a TK are unloading supplies and fuel - now I need some boots on the ground here! Reinforcing Rabaul has bought me valuable time, but I had to use the few unrestricted units in Australia to do this.

SoPac/CentPac: As already mentioned, the Catalinas flying from Nauru revealed that there are almost no Japanese ships in this area! [X(] Only a couple of transports are unloading supplies at smaller bases in the Gilberts. However I do not know the location of the Japanese carriers, so I have to be careful anyway. I'm thinking about some smaller offensives here, but right now I'm content building up my bases. Details will follow.

Submarine Warfare:

• First of all, Nagato managed to escape to Palau. She shared a hex with Allied submarines twice, but wasn't attacked. I'm setting up a picket line somewhere between Palau and Japan.
• 12/25: SS Pike attacks a small ASW TF near Saigon and sinks MSW Senyu Maru #2 with a torpedo.
• 12/27: SS KXIV engages an ASW TF near Saigon and sinks MSW Banshu Maru #18 with a torpedo.
• 12/27: AK Kwangtung, a 3000 cap. transport full with supplies for Rabaul is attacked only a couple of miles away from Rabaul harbor by I-17 and sunk by several shells and 2 torpedoes.
• 12/27: I-23 sinks PG Cicala with 2 torpedoes near Manila. I've moved the last cripples and 1 TK and 1 AO full of fuel out of Manila, hoping that the cripples will draw the attention of Japanese submarines and TBs - so far it works.
• 12/27: S-41 hits AP Argentina Maru with 1 torpedo at Lucena.
• 12/27:Tipped off by SigInt, a strong US ASW TF sinks I-5 and heavily damages I-8 in the same hex several hundred miles northeast of Pearl Harbor.
• 12/28: SS KXIV heavily damages AP Kokuryu Maru with 1 torpedo near Saigon. The ship is expected so sink since it was already heavily damaged by a torpedo from SS Tarpon near Kuching several days ago.
• 12/28: PG Moth is sunk by 2 torpedoes from I-164 - another cripple from Manila trying to reach Soerabaja.
• 12/28: SS Sculpin, trying to intercept BB Nagato at Palau, is heavily damaged by an ASW TF but should make it to Kendari.
• 12/28: SS Tambor hits CL Tatsuta with a dud torpedo at Baker Island.

Ships sunk not mentioned above:

• 12/25: AK Dardanus sinks near Ceylon (part of the Port Blair invasion TF).
• 12/25: DD Murakumo, another destroyer damaged in the Battle of Kuching, sinks near Saigon on the 25th.
• 12/25: AK Hinode Maru sinks at Amboina, several days after being hit by a torpedo from SS Snapper.
• 12/25: AK Governor Wright and AK Governor Smith, the last 2 remaining Allied AKs in the Philippines, are sunk by Kates flying from Davao.
• 12/26: AP Ujigawa Maru sinks near Amboina, more than a week after being hit by a single 500 lb GP bomb from a B17.
• 12/26: 2 Nells torpedo AK Reteh (a small AK loading supplies for Singapore) at Palembang despite a CAP of Dutch fighters.
• 12/27: AP Ranchi sinks on her way back to Colombo from Port Blair (part of the Port Blair invasion TF).
• 12/27: MSW Mildura hits a mine at Port Moresby and sinks.
• 12/27: AP Kidokawa Maru sinks at Davao. This transport was heavily damaged by several bombs during the invasion of Davao on Dec. 11th.

[Japanese_Spirit]

I must say that this has been an enjoyable AAR to read through! Although I will be having to stick with Ctangus (being a Japanese Fanboy and all [:D]) I will wish you luck on your endaevours at best and I'll be reading both AAR's with interest.

However, I do have a question, regarding Singapore. Will you try to hold onto it or do you intend to abandon it sooner or later? Will you fight on to the death? I did find that replacing Percival when I played as the Allies a couple of years ago, I was able to hold onto Singapore longer than I would have been able too with Percival.

Anyway, update soon! [:D]

[Fletcher]

Excelent, enjoyable and highly instructional AAR !. I will take an eye on it !. Best wishes

[USSAmerica]

Hey Martin, what's up with your game with Chuck?  This AAR is a great read, and I'm getting hungry for more.  [8D]