jwilkerson(Jpn) Moses (Allies)

[jwilkerson]

8/29/42

The Yam/Mus surface group went in and destroyed a small USN destroyer force, but ran out of ops points before being able to do more.

[jwilkerson]

8/29/42

Nanomea Area

Over all in this area, we see the Allied Battle Force withdrawing to the SW after bombarding Nanomea. We see some unknown allied force in the Nanomea hex and we see 2 Allied APDs in the Nanafuti hex, 2 hexes to the South of Nanomea. The APDs could be unloading a land force to occupy this island and build it up to control the area. As we want to cover both area, we will home port the Yam/Mus group at Nanomea and have them do a sweep of Nanafuti, this will provide some coverage of both islands. And we will bring the Shok/Zuik group two hexes due S to perhaps pick off some more transports.

[jwilkerson]

Moses is on vacation for two weeks and I'll be out next week but we will both be back by 7 July - so turns restart then. In the mean time I'll try to catch up with my strategic summaries a bit each day. Here is the resource trend chart. Overall things look good. Biggest concern is lack of growth for Oil and Resources. This means I'm running the production machine right on the edge. I supposed this is the goal for now - but in previous games I been able to grow the reserves by this point. SO I guess the difference is that because this is my first PDU game behaviors have been adjusted and I have ramped up some of the air factores more than I have in the past.

[jwilkerson]

9/8/42

Over in the Nanomea area things have gotten quiet. Nanomea is clear of enemy troops. KB will withdraw to the rear and refuel.

[jwilkerson]

9/8/42

Up in the Aleutians ... shortly we will have all four CVEs and both 16" Battleships in the Kuriles, then we will push large convoys into Kiska and Amchitka.

[jwilkerson]

9/8/42

And in Burma we are constricting Moses air attacks to Akyab. he can still hit very hard (and we have already recycles one Tony and one Tojo unit) but is not able to hit all across Burma. We have another fresh Tojo unit ready to throw into the fray and another freash Tony unit on the way. We are still able to maintain the 80+ EXP standard when units are first committed to combat. I'm sure the "standard" will begin a decrease shortly. EXP 75 is actually much easily to achieve .. it seems like the EXP gain between 75 and 80 is particularly difficult.

As to the Seaward flank ... Andaman, Nicobars and Sabang are all being built up to the max ... Georgetown is the base camp for Naval operations in the Andaman Sea/Gulf of Martaban areas.

[jwilkerson]

9/28/42

Ok Moses has returned and turn processing has resumed - we've run through a couple of weeks of game time. The most notable incidents have been"

(1) China - big battles around Ichang. A large group(10 units) of Chinese had come North from Changsha into the area between "Wuhan" and Ichang, perhaps to try to cut off our forces in Ichang. And cutoff our forces were for about 2 weeks. We utilized 22 Groups (12 planes each) of Topsey and Tabby to supply Ichang. And we were able to insert sufficient forces between Wuhan and the Chinese grouping that the Chinese were themselves cutoff from supply back to Changsha. This is resulting in the effective "transfer" of this Chinese group from the Changsha area up to the Sian/Honan area. We have essentially broken China in to two halves, the Northern half built around Sian and supplied from indigenous supply. And the Southern Half, including the rest of on-map China. This last turn also saw some P40B in action over Ichang, probably peices of the AVG comming home.

(2) Burma - Here Moses has been launching massive air assaults of Akyab with uncountable numbers of planes (actually I tried to count up roughly 1200 Allied aircraft in the area). Our roughly 150-200 fighters in Burma are hard pressed by these attacks. And we have temporarily pulled back from Akyab. Thus far, we have only been able to maintain 1 Tojo group - though Akyab is well within fighter escort range and Moses is escorting many of his attacks now.

(3) Aleutians - We sent in a major resupply convoy to Amchitka covered by our 4xCVE and 2 xBB and other forces. We lost 1 ML and had 1BB, 1CL and 1AP damaged. And second convoy is now approaching. We have also reinforced this area with a new group of 25 CL/DD.

(4) CENPAC - KB is now down to 3xCV, 4xCVL, 6 BB but recently covered a resupply convoy to Nanomea.

(5) Home Islands - We have 5xCV back here refitting/upgrading. The Hiryu/Soryu group are almost done, they will reinforce the Northern Fleet. Akagi/Kaga are a few weeks out from being done as is Junyo.

[jwilkerson]

In the Aleutians we see the new CL/DD group preceeding the new convoy into Kiska.

[jwilkerson]

9/28/42

In CENPAC we see KB refueling at Naru.

[jwilkerson]

9/28/42

And in China we note the force configuration around Ichang as the elements of the Chinese Changsha forces are "transferred" North to Honan.

In Burma we note the paucity of Japanese fighters in Burma, though reinforcements are on the way. We have about 3 A6M3 and 3 IJA fighter group approaching the release EXP level of 80.

[jwilkerson]

09/30/42

Up in the Aleutians the Idaho runs afoul of some Japanese torpedos ...

[jwilkerson]

IJN 9/30/42


We are evolving into three Geographically based fleets - the need to concentrate the main fleet (and hence constitute KB) having evaporated at least for a time - with the demise of the Allied Carrier Force at Johnston Is.

Not wishing to use our carriers to challenge large concentrations of Allied airpower, until we have to, we will probably use them most effectively in the CENPAC and Aleutians areas. Hence I would expect the bulk of the carriers to be split between those two locations for about the next six months (through end of Q1 43).

Our three forward area fleets then are the Northern, Western and Central Pacific Fleets.

NORTHERN FLEET

Northern Fleet bases include Sapporo(Hokkaiado), Shikka(Sakhalin), with forward bases at Entorofu and Paramushiro in the Kuriles.

Sapporo is a L5 port but will build up to L9. Shikka is L8 building to L9. The 5F HQ has been deployed to Shikka and is 8 hexes from Paramushiro. But distance to Attu and Kiska is 19 and 20 hexes respectively, so to cover these hexes for combat we would have to forward deploy 5F HQ to Paramushiro or thereabouts. This is under consideration although it trades to benefits of 4 port shifts on ship repair/maintenance for the combat multipler of a command HQ.

We had till now been reluctant to build up the installations in the Aleutians, figuring the Allies could possibly take them back quickly with a well timed massive effort. However, we now have the freedom of action to base major fleet units near the Aleutians continuously and hence can support movement of engineers and regular resupply to the Aleutians. Thus building up of the airbases and ports becomes an option. And while the Allies can bring air power to bear here it cannot be on the same scale as in CBI due to lack of numbers of bases.

Kiska now has the 35IMB and the 17A HQ and hence has a credible defence. Forts are L6, L5, L5 respectively at Kiska, Amchitka and Adak with minefields 8000, 9000, 2000, 2000 at Attu, Kiska, Amchitka, Adak.

Currently the Nothern Fleet Contains:

Carrier Force: Deck Space = 101/86
CVE Taiyo: 23xA6M3(exp84)
CVE Chuyo:27xB5N(exp79)
CVE Unyo: 26xA6M3(exp81)
CVE Hosho: 5xA6M2(exp88), 5xB5N(exp83)

Battle Force:
BB Nagato
BB Mutsu

Cruisers:
CA Furutaka
CL Yubari
CL Kashima
CL Tama
CL Sendai
CL Natori
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
CL Tenryu

Destroyers: 41

Oilers: 1, plus 3 enroute from Western Fleet, plus 1 damaged.

Additional Transports, Cargo ships, tankers, minelayers, minesweepers, escorts and submarines as needed and avilable.

Enroute to the Northern Fleet

CVs: Hiryu, Soryu
BBs: Yamato, Musashi,
CAs: 2
DDs: 15

[jwilkerson]

9/30/42

[jwilkerson]

9/30/42


CENPAC

Major Bases are Truk, a level 9 with 4th Fleet HQ and Rabaul, a level 8 with 8th Fleet HQ. Forward Bases include Tulagi, a level 6 with SouthEast Fleet HQ, Kwajalein a Level 3 with 6F and Naru a L2 with Combined Fleet HQ.

Major focus at this point is supporting resupply of forward bases. The resupply of the forward bases will maximize the delay in the event of an Allied counterattack. The ability of the forward garrisons to hold on for a few days will buy time for the Fleet to arrive and perhaps drive off the attackers. The actually happened at Nanomea, so it is feasible.

We are also reversing our policy of avoiding building up of the foward bases and we will build up some of the airbases a bit. Again since we can support resupply, building up the bases will enhance the delay potential of the forward bases.

Carrier Force:
CV Shokaku: 23 Z, 20 V, 18 K
CV Zuikaku: 21 Z, 22 V, 21 K
CV Hiyo: 10 Z, 10 V, 10 K

CVL Shoho: 18 Z, , 12 K
CVL Ryuho: 25 Z
CVL Ryujo: 27 Z, , 19 K
CVL Zuiho: 18 Z, , 12 K

Battle Force:

BB Haruna
BB Kongo
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
BB Ise
BB Hyuga

Cruisers:

CA Tone
CA Chikuma
CA Myoko
CA Haguro
CA Nachi
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
CA Kako
CL Yura
CL Abukuma
CL Isuzu



DD: 32


Replenishment Group: 150,000 Fuel capacity

Additional Transport, Cargo, Tankers, minelayers, minesweepers, escorts and submarines as needed and available.




==================

Western Fleet

Major Bases: Singapore a Level 9 with Southern Fleet, Georgetown a level 6 with 2nd Fleet.

The primary purpose of the combat elements in this area is to protect the Gulf of Martaban. We will build of Sabang, Nicobar and Andaman as the seaward barrier covering the SRA.

We have gotten a bit more aggressive and have sent the fleet on night patrols twice through the Akyab hex with the intent of fighting the RN Bombardment force. We will continue intermittant patrols. Our 4 submarine minelayers run continuous minelaying operations between Georgetown and Akyab. And we hit 2 DDs during the last bombarment run and one the time prior. We also have 54 Nells with Zero escort sitting on the field at Tavoy in the event that the RN come closer.

We are beefing up Sea and Air Patrols in the Malacca straights, the enemy are still using this waterway as a submarine highway and we have to make this more expensive.

Battle Fleet:

BB Yamashrio
BB Fuso

Cruisers:

CA Atago
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
CL Jintsu
CL Kuma
CL Tasuta

DD: 26

Oilers: 2

[jwilkerson]

10/02/42

Aleutians: We sent in a large Cruiser/DD force to try to hit Allied unloading operations at Atka, but the USN forces dodged us.

China: Scary attack by 14 Chinese units against our forces in pursuit, but Chinese didn't have nuff stuff so we held out, the rest of our units should show up shortly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 49,32

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 94678 troops, 486 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2944

Defending force 55302 troops, 522 guns, 769 vehicles, Assault Value = 1274

Allied max assault: 5066 - adjusted assault: 1093

Japanese max defense: 1367 - adjusted defense: 1421

Allied assault odds: 0 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
496 casualties reported
Guns lost 30
Vehicles lost 1

Allied ground losses:
2041 casualties reported
Guns lost 60

Burma: The Allies left Akyab alone and we are recovering from the week-long pounding.

[jwilkerson]

10/04/42

Aleutians: Split off 8 DDs which were out of fuel and doubled back with the rest of the CL/DD force and managed to catch a small AK force unloading at Atka. Repost by 64xB25 put damage on both Kitakami and Tenryu and then the Kitty ate an MkX from a pig boat that was sunk for its trouble. So Kitty hurting 34/27/8 but might make it unless she runs over another sub. Tenryu 23/15/4 probably will make it.

Night Time Surface Combat, near Atka Island at 98,37

Japanese Ships
CL Natori
CL Kitakami
CL Oi
CL Tenryu
DD Wakaba
DD Yugure
DD Inazuma
DD Fubuki
DD Isonami
DD Uranami
DD Satsuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Nagatsuki
DD Kamikaze
DD Okikaze

Allied Ships
AK George H. Williams, Shell hits 15, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AK John Page, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AK William Dawes, Shell hits 21, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
MSW Canso, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
MSW Caraquet
MSW Lockeport


One of the air attacks

Day Air attack on TF, near Adak Island at 98,36

Japanese aircraft
A6M2-N Rufe x 2

Allied aircraft
Kittyhawk I x 6
B-25C Mitchell x 54

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2-N Rufe: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-25C Mitchell: 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CL Oi, Bomb hits 1
DD Wakaba
CL Tenryu
CL Kitakami
DD Inazuma
DD Fubuki
CL Natori
DD Yugure

Sub/ASW Action the S-27 sank afterwards ...

Sub attack at 96,35

Japanese Ships
CL Kitakami, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Okikaze
DD Kamikaze
DD Nagatsuki
DD Fumizuki
DD Satsuki
DD Uranami

Allied Ships
SS S-27, hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

China: We bashed the Force withdrawing to Honan but took a pile of disrupts. We're counting on the retreat losses to make things worth it. We released the 6th Av Rgt from Manchuko to send to Kaifeng so we can significant'y beef up the bombing of Honan.


Ground combat at 49,32

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 57652 troops, 494 guns, 882 vehicles, Assault Value = 1414

Defending force 95599 troops, 387 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2491

Japanese max assault: 1259 - adjusted assault: 565

Allied max defense: 1681 - adjusted defense: 243

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1


Japanese ground losses:
2656 casualties reported
Guns lost 57
Vehicles lost 4

Allied ground losses:
1065 casualties reported
Guns lost 14


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Burma: Akyab recovering Mytchina taking a beatin' ... We will do another night surface sweep with the fleet through Akyab in case the RN comes back.

Home Islands: Hiryu/Soryu Group departed Kure for Sapporo to join the Northern Fleet. Yam/Mus group arrives Kure next turn for refit.

[jwilkerson]

10/06/42

Snap shot of 47 Sentai which somehow became best IJA fighter unit. Currenty flying Tony and based at Rangoon.

[jwilkerson]

10/12/42

Aleutians: Our Escort Carrier Force with 4xCVE engaged Allied naval bombers operating out of Atka in a two day battle, shooting down most of both enemy squadrons with no loss on our side.

---------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 94,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 44

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 9 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 94,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 42

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 13
SBD Dauntless x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 9 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 2 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 94,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 41

Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 94,37

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
A6M3 Zero x 41

Allied aircraft
F4F-4 Wildcat x 9
SBD Dauntless x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-4 Wildcat: 7 destroyed
SBD Dauntless: 1 destroyed

[jwilkerson]

10/14/1942 Economic Summary.

(1) Supply stocks are up. Guess we need to load some up and ship it out!

(2) Fuel stocks steady.

(3) Resources and Oil continuing to decline. We're probably running too hot and will have to shut some stuff down.

Key question is whether we should beef up Naval build points. Our biggest production bottleneck is ships. We can afford to cut back on aircraft engines and even aircraft themselves. So between these cuts and a modest naval build increase, we can probably reconfigure to a slightly lower HI spend.

[jwilkerson]

10/14/1942 Economic Summary.

(1) Supply stocks are up. Guess we need to load some up and ship it out!

(2) Fuel stocks steady.

(3) Resources and Oil continuing to decline. We're probably running too hot and will have to shut some stuff down.

Key question is whether we should beef up Naval build points. Our biggest production bottleneck is ships. We can afford to cut back on aircraft engines and even aircraft themselves. So between these cuts and a modest naval build increase, we can probably reconfigure to a slightly lower HI spend.