War Plan Orange

[herwin]

Jan 15, 1942

Massive bomber strike on Kamen (USSR) launched from the Japanese home islands.

WTFO?: Brigade in San Fernando hex (no enemy ZoC) prohibited from moving into the Lingayan hex because it would be moving from one ZoC to another.

[herwin]

Jan 16, 1942

Massive airstrikes on Kamen (USSR) continue by air units based in the Japanese home islands.

[herwin]

January 17, 1942

Russell Islands occupied.

Carrier battle off Fiji. I had organised a raiding TF around the 2nd Cardiv, and sent it off to disrupt Allied convoy operations between Australia and America. The Hiryu and Soryu were originally designed for that mission, and so I wanted to get some insight into their effectiveness. The Lexington and Enterprise came out to play. It looks like a replay of the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Day Air attack on TF at 81,116

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 20

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36
TBD Devastator x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
TBD Devastator: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 81,116

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 17

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 7 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 81,116

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 20

Allied aircraft
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 destroyed, 5 damaged

Japanese Ships
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 81,116

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zeke x 17

Allied aircraft
TBD Devastator x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
TBD Devastator: 11 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, on fire
CV Soryu, on fire
CV Hiryu, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
1 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
1 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x TBD Devastator launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,118

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 40
B5M/B5N Kate x 42

Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 26

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 8 destroyed, 4 damaged
B5M/B5N Kate: 15 destroyed, 11 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3 Wildcat: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
CV Enterprise, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Craven, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD McCall
DD Ellet

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
3 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
2 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
3 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x D3A2 Val bombing at 2000 feet
4 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x B5M/B5N Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet

[herwin]

Jan 18 1942

Question for the assembled multitude: why does the AI insist on ships lingering near the site of naval battles during the next day even when they have enough speed to get out of Dodge? I've noticed this playing both sides.

Amboina and Lucena bombarded
Landing at Lae
Soryu sinks and Hiryu is scuttled
Moulmein and Aitape captured.

Day Air attack on TF at 79,115


Allied aircraft
SB2U-2 Vindicator x 3


Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-2 Vindicator: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SB2U-2 Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 42,73


Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 3


Allied aircraft losses
Hudson IV: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Hudson IV bombing at 10000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,114


Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 9
Vildebeest/Vincent x 3
SB2U-2 Vindicator x 19
SBD-3 Dauntless x 38


Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-2 Vindicator: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 16, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kako
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
2 x Hudson IV bombing at 5000 feet
3 x Vildebeest/Vincent bombing at 5000 feet
1 x SB2U-2 Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x Hudson IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson IV bombing at 5000 feet
9 x SB2U-2 Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
8 x SB2U-2 Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 79,115


Allied aircraft
Vildebeest/Vincent x 3
SB2U-2 Vindicator x 18
SBD-3 Dauntless x 32


Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest/Vincent: 1 damaged
SB2U-2 Vindicator: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 3 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CV Hiryu, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Vildebeest/Vincent bombing at 5000 feet
7 x SB2U-2 Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
5 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SB2U-2 Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
2 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SB2U-2 Vindicator bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 80,114


Allied aircraft
Hudson IV x 8


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, on fire, heavy damage
CV Soryu, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Hudson IV bombing at 5000 feet
4 x Hudson IV bombing at 5000 feet

[Historiker]

ouch! [X(]

[herwin]

Jan 19, 1942

Nuthin' happnen...

I asked my opponent how many days he had been tracking my raider TF--three days was his answer. I had never seen any of his forces. Japanese SIGINT sucks little green toads, and so does Japanese OPSEC.

A little more seriously--my experience is that the Japanese side only sees his bases, and those rarely. Playing the Japanese is like being blind. Of course, that's the right flavour, but if you've ever done it professionally, you absolutely hate it.

[Bliztk]

Philipphine Campaing notes



1 & 2) Main landings are at Aparri and Vigan.
3) First Assaults go through Balinta Pass and the rough terrain defeat first Japanese Assaults
4) Secondary assault at Naga/ Legaspi. Japanese advances towards Manila, but a lateral move thru Lamon Bay encircles and stalls the Japanese Division attacking Manila
5) Japanese forces divert main thrust of attack towards Lingayen achieving more favourable odds

Comment.
Lingayen position with nearly no forts is the weak link here. I guess that in 10-12 days it will collapse and the defense will go towars Bataan or Manila to fight the final siege

[Bliztk]

The Naval Battle of Fiji is declared an Allied limited victory. Lady Lex is scuttled, and Big E appears that will follow soon under the waves

More japanese losses can be expected as another USN Carrier Task Force is springting towards the battlezone and KB is near southern Mindanao

[String]

ORIGINAL: herwin

Jan 19, 1942

Nuthin' happnen...

I asked my opponent how many days he had been tracking my raider TF--three days was his answer. I had never seen any of his forces. Japanese SIGINT sucks little green toads, and so does Japanese OPSEC.

A little more seriously--my experience is that the Japanese side only sees his bases, and those rarely. Playing the Japanese is like being blind. Of course, that's the right flavour, but if you've ever done it professionally, you absolutely hate it.

On the other hand you have excellent tactical recon and naval search capability.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: String

ORIGINAL: herwin

Jan 19, 1942

Nuthin' happnen...

I asked my opponent how many days he had been tracking my raider TF--three days was his answer. I had never seen any of his forces. Japanese SIGINT sucks little green toads, and so does Japanese OPSEC.

A little more seriously--my experience is that the Japanese side only sees his bases, and those rarely. Playing the Japanese is like being blind. Of course, that's the right flavour, but if you've ever done it professionally, you absolutely hate it.

On the other hand you have excellent tactical recon and naval search capability.

Although the latest turn seemed to belie the excellence. 8|

SBD-3 Dauntless sighting report: 4 Japanese ships at 72,108 , Speed 3 , Moving Northwest
SBD-3 Dauntless has spotted Kirishima at 72,108
SBD-3 Dauntless has spotted Kirishima at 72,108
SBD-3 Dauntless has spotted Kirishima at 72,108

Some of the undamaged ships in that Japanese TF have float planes tasked with naval search, but no detections going the other way. On the other hand, the US carriers didn't launch, so it might have been weather. During the entirety of this fiasco, I've detected an Allied TF just once--probably by tracking the first day's attack back to the launching carriers!

[Bliztk]

Well, I have the four SBD squadrons at 100% search, so 70+ SBDs searching can make wonders

I have the theory that having better detection level helps attacks on following turns, so I tend to locate first and strike later

Next turn will be interesting Saratoga and Yorktown are going for the kill

[herwin]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/24/42

Day Air attack on TF at 71,106


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Bomb hits 2
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
7 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,106


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
SBD-3 Dauntless x 36


Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 14, on fire, heavy damage
CA Kinugasa, Bomb hits 3, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF at 71,106


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 18
TBF/TBM-1 Avenger x 14


Allied aircraft losses
TBF/TBM-1 Avenger: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
CA Tone, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on TF, near Weda [Helmahera] at 42,70

[herwin]

26 Jan 1942

TBMs sink the Hiei

Day Air attack on TF at 70,105


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 68
TBF/TBM-1 Avenger x 28


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei, Bomb hits 18, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
1 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
3 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
9 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing at 2000 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x TBF/TBM-1 Avenger launching torpedoes at 200 feet

[herwin]

Things have been very quite for a while. Rangoon fell on February 3, and the Burma Army is advancing towards Mandalay. Singapore is besieged, as is central Luzon. The Japanese Army in central China is starving. We're currently at February 7.

[herwin]

7 Mar 1942

No reports in the last few months because nothing has been happening. The Japanese are bogged down in Luzon, Malaya, Burma, etc.

Lesson learned--to do as well as the Japanese in RHS, you must maintain a high tempo.

[herwin]

16 Mar 1942

Campaign stalled on all fronts.

[herwin]

Mid-March 1942

Game has been suspended--the Japanese advance is bogged down with no prospect for improvement. Strategically, the war has been lost by Japan, and this is likely to become obvious when the Pacific Fleet raises the siege of the Philippines later in the year. The Japanese are very short of modern airframes. Most of the fleet is in Japan refitting, with two batdivs in Truk. There's a CS at Tulagi serving as a base for long-range search.

The Hiryu/Soryu raid was pre-war IJN doctrine--I hadn't appreciated how blind the Japanese were. Any such raid needs to be actively supported by CS/CV search operations. I was aware this was part of both IJN and RN planning during the 1930s, but didn't realise how important it was.

The internal waterways need to be actively used in any RHS scenario--otherwise the Japanese can't supply the Wuchang/Wuhan/Ichang complex. I suspect the supply levels need tuning. It's weird when a *major* game tactic is supply destruction.

I really hate the way the game engine handles a number of areas (land combat, air operations, naval movement). I guess I know too much about how the real systems work (and worked back then).

Watch this space--we probably will be restarting in a couple of weeks with a scenario update.