Polynick had the worst opening in a strictly historical game of WITP I ever saw - Halsey behaved like Halsey did behave IRL - and got sunk for his trouble. I was not optimistic that I would see a turn 2. Many players just disappear after a bad loss - particularly on turn one. Boy was that a misplaced concern.
He responded with an amazing general air and naval attack - theater wide. Force Z actually did what it was supposed to do - at Sarawak - and with effect - preventing enough of a six unit landing force from getting ashore to win ground combat - and badly cutting up transports and escorts twice. Two destroyers messed up minelayers at Hong Kong - the only time these two ever did anything I can remember. The list goes on for a long time - an air attack unescorted over Pearl Harbor was wiped out without any successes. I don't think KB has enough bombers left to do anything but go home for more.
The general Japanese offensives are doing well - but Poly is making them pay - mainly with surface action groups - did I mention USS Houston and a whole team including a CL and destroyers got into the landing force at Cagayan - and if they didn't prevent the landing - they did hurt the forces - naval and land - there to be hurt. But air forces and even submarines got into the action - and it is anything but clear the offensive can won't be messed up in places - not least in Central Pacific - where KB may have little striking power left.
Remember the Enterprise - RHS Test 6B - RAO vs Polynick
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follow up
Game statistics show some remarkable things. None more than aircraft loss rates::
after two days both sides have lost about 90 planes in air combat - the first and only time I ever saw anything like a 1:1 ratio in air combat: the norm is about 6 to 1 in favor of Japan in the frist week of the war - dropping to 3:1 in January 1942 - and reaching parity late in 1942.
after two days the Allies have lost only about 200 aircraft theater wide - and Japan only 100 - the rirst and only time I ever saw anything like a 2:1 ratio at game start: the norm is for the Allies to lose two or three times as many planes.
Clearly Poly is doing better than normal.
The landing force at Sankuliwant abandoned its position and ran - and not for its home port of Saigon either. NO supplies were unloaded. Three ships still have troops aboard - and one of these must sink. We will try to land that ship's men on the coast of Borneo. The other two we will send back o Sinkuliwant. But how to get supplies to the units there?
Kiddo Butai has many squadrons of bombers on ASW or naval search duty - and it has lost many Kates - but it still could be used offensively if a target were found. The other US carriers in pacific have noo been sen.
after two days both sides have lost about 90 planes in air combat - the first and only time I ever saw anything like a 1:1 ratio in air combat: the norm is about 6 to 1 in favor of Japan in the frist week of the war - dropping to 3:1 in January 1942 - and reaching parity late in 1942.
after two days the Allies have lost only about 200 aircraft theater wide - and Japan only 100 - the rirst and only time I ever saw anything like a 2:1 ratio at game start: the norm is for the Allies to lose two or three times as many planes.
Clearly Poly is doing better than normal.
The landing force at Sankuliwant abandoned its position and ran - and not for its home port of Saigon either. NO supplies were unloaded. Three ships still have troops aboard - and one of these must sink. We will try to land that ship's men on the coast of Borneo. The other two we will send back o Sinkuliwant. But how to get supplies to the units there?
Kiddo Butai has many squadrons of bombers on ASW or naval search duty - and it has lost many Kates - but it still could be used offensively if a target were found. The other US carriers in pacific have noo been sen.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
A bright spot for Japan (and Yamashita) is that Kota fell on day two - taken by advance elements of 5th division - which landed at Singora and marched overland in good order. Cagayan fell on the first day and is up as an airfield with the strongest squadrons of Bettys and Zeros (one each) on it - which should hurt. I have set everything to hunt ships - lets see how he does with ships forward vs long range land based air. I put naval search forward on Miri - captured by airborne - to provide location data. Elements of 4th Mixed Regiment are going to back up the toops at Sarawak - although only one ship is so far available to take the lead element. A surface action group is moving down the coast of Mayala - force Z may yet have a fight - if it does not run or succumb to bombers. I regard Japanese CA as captial ship killers- in line with the thinking of the captain of Tone - who thought it was the most powerful warship in the world.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
Polynick's third turn was almost as unsual to watch as his second: from the number of air strikes you could not tell who was on the offensive. The difference is - the Japanese strikes deliver torpedoes or sometimes bombs - on ships.
My attempt to kill Force Z with maximum air power over the SRA failed - but it did put a torpedo into USS Houston - and lots of other things. My surface action groups were successful - full balanced forces of heavy cruisers, a destroyer leading CL and a division of destroyers - taking on transports and gunboats- not fair but my preferred style. [Warships can hurt you] But even here Poly managed to get a lick in - some Aussie CL I never heard of - maybe it is an auxiliary cruiser - followed up on the Force Z attacks near Kuching - and sank the ship that was too damaged to do anything but unload. Only four support squads got off the burning ship before she showed up and sank her. I had broke my own policy (use small ships forward) and lost about 4 big transports - and 2 were still unloading - but the large number of air strikes and continued sneaking in of surface vessels - and submarine reports all around - caused me to order them back to Saigon. Along with the AP loading the lead elements of the relief force. We will come back - properly. We succeeded in feeding the troops ashore with air dropped supplies. {I was not sure you can do that in an enemy held port - but you can and I did]
Somewhat paridoxically I have never been so far ahead in Malaya or the Philippines - and am doing very well on New Guinea - so I am willing to bide my time in the center. In China things also are ahead of normal - cleaning up LOC and enveloping forces which can then be reduced because they lack supplies. But he is up to something on the Yangtze - I know not what - with ships - and I set air units to hunt them - while forces at Wuhan recover from a failed attack. I need to get them isolated - and use the river myself - and I don't want his vessels fighting with mine - so we will see if air power can clean them out.
I have laid submarine air recon traps for Saratoga - and sent KB back to Kwajalien - and will hit Johnston Island en route (similar to how the real one hit Wake and Midway on the way home). One unit of Kates is down to 3 bombers - he cleaned them up very well indeed in the second day battles. But the loss of Enterprise is worth paying for - and had I not set for naval battle - it might have hurt me badly - as code would let my air striked go in on PH and ignore him otherwise (bitter experience talking).
My attempt to kill Force Z with maximum air power over the SRA failed - but it did put a torpedo into USS Houston - and lots of other things. My surface action groups were successful - full balanced forces of heavy cruisers, a destroyer leading CL and a division of destroyers - taking on transports and gunboats- not fair but my preferred style. [Warships can hurt you] But even here Poly managed to get a lick in - some Aussie CL I never heard of - maybe it is an auxiliary cruiser - followed up on the Force Z attacks near Kuching - and sank the ship that was too damaged to do anything but unload. Only four support squads got off the burning ship before she showed up and sank her. I had broke my own policy (use small ships forward) and lost about 4 big transports - and 2 were still unloading - but the large number of air strikes and continued sneaking in of surface vessels - and submarine reports all around - caused me to order them back to Saigon. Along with the AP loading the lead elements of the relief force. We will come back - properly. We succeeded in feeding the troops ashore with air dropped supplies. {I was not sure you can do that in an enemy held port - but you can and I did]
Somewhat paridoxically I have never been so far ahead in Malaya or the Philippines - and am doing very well on New Guinea - so I am willing to bide my time in the center. In China things also are ahead of normal - cleaning up LOC and enveloping forces which can then be reduced because they lack supplies. But he is up to something on the Yangtze - I know not what - with ships - and I set air units to hunt them - while forces at Wuhan recover from a failed attack. I need to get them isolated - and use the river myself - and I don't want his vessels fighting with mine - so we will see if air power can clean them out.
I have laid submarine air recon traps for Saratoga - and sent KB back to Kwajalien - and will hit Johnston Island en route (similar to how the real one hit Wake and Midway on the way home). One unit of Kates is down to 3 bombers - he cleaned them up very well indeed in the second day battles. But the loss of Enterprise is worth paying for - and had I not set for naval battle - it might have hurt me badly - as code would let my air striked go in on PH and ignore him otherwise (bitter experience talking).
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
The turn began with a set of naval surface actions. One of these must have been a deliberate challenge of the reinforcement of Buna by HMAS Adelaide. She should have done well - but was outgunned by two of three frigates present. In spite of only being armed with 4.7 inch guns, they scored 15 hits and forced her to disengage, ablaze, with heavy damage. The two frigates may not survive - I did not scuttle them but there is no where to fix them near enough to reach - but they achieved their mission: not one hit on a transport. Another action was probably an accident: two PG out of Hong Kong ran into an unescorted transport group headed back to Japan- and ate two APs for breakfest with six inch shells - they may not survive either - but might make it to Canton. Later in the day one of the PGs was sunk by naval bombers out of Formosa. Any other actions were classic El Cid - balanced naval forces vs transports - and not interesting.
Kiddo Butai came under a scary attack out of Johnston Island. At least I THINK that was the intent. Only 3 bombers (of 17) penetrated the screen - and they went for a tanker in the refueling TF - but I think that was an error and not the plan. 53 Zeros on CAP were not enough to prevent penetration - there is NO uber cap in RHS - but they did cut em up so badly the AAA could handle the rest. There are simply too few bombers on this force to get tricky - so I refueled - and will do a maximum range revenge attack with all but on squadron tomorrow - probably knocking down Johnston as a recon point (since it has been damaged by air strikes and naval gunfire already) - so we can get away clean. WE need to reach Kwajalein and rebuild air groups. Not that I am sorry: Enterprise can not rebuild her air group.
He made the usual choice not to defend Baguio City - and it will fall to 48th Division today - after which we will decend on Clark from above - and bypass his main resistence at Linguyan. He is defending Naga big time at the other end of Luzon - and we will move in and engage to keep those troops away from Clark - our objective.
We will engage the guys who abandoned Kota Bahru again - tomorrow - and although only part of 5th Division is on their tail - engineers had to stay at Kota to fix the damage - I expect to win. We need one more day to assemble the attack on Alor Star - but it does not appear to be well defended - so Malaya is about to enter the persuit phase - but very early - it is only the third day. His bombers were as aggressive as ever - but mainly died - and seem to be demoralized. I managed to come up with one strong morale squadron in every area - so we will go back to limited offensives with air tomorrow (vs the forces fleeing South from the Japanese advance). The small carrier force will be at sea - supporting one of three surface action groups in the Celebes Sea - one of them heavy (two Kongos) - the other two having four CAs. These should produce more SOP one sided surface battles - the kind where we don't take a single hit but they sink. [This is the only kind of surface action I actually like]
Poly is better at ASW than other players - and he sank one sub on his first try near Hawaii - and sent another home in the South China Sea. He builds ASW groups and seems to send them where recon reports subs are at. I have another sub at Layton Island unlikely to make it home - and a different sub has formed a task unit with it - so survivors will be picked up if it sinks. On the subject of submarines - I have tried a wide dispersal of subs in Central Pacific in hopes of finding that other pesky carrier - and I have subs running the standard tracks to San Francisco hoping to catch a cripple out of Hawaii some day soon (if ever he sends anything out of there - which seems not to have happened yet).
China is China - I am trying to clear it out and seem to be doing so - but it can turn bad in a hurry (see the game with OSO) - so it is too soon to tell. He is running three naval units up the Yangtze toward Chunking - to get them out of harms way I suppose - and I am hunting them with airplanes and gunboats.
Kiddo Butai came under a scary attack out of Johnston Island. At least I THINK that was the intent. Only 3 bombers (of 17) penetrated the screen - and they went for a tanker in the refueling TF - but I think that was an error and not the plan. 53 Zeros on CAP were not enough to prevent penetration - there is NO uber cap in RHS - but they did cut em up so badly the AAA could handle the rest. There are simply too few bombers on this force to get tricky - so I refueled - and will do a maximum range revenge attack with all but on squadron tomorrow - probably knocking down Johnston as a recon point (since it has been damaged by air strikes and naval gunfire already) - so we can get away clean. WE need to reach Kwajalein and rebuild air groups. Not that I am sorry: Enterprise can not rebuild her air group.
He made the usual choice not to defend Baguio City - and it will fall to 48th Division today - after which we will decend on Clark from above - and bypass his main resistence at Linguyan. He is defending Naga big time at the other end of Luzon - and we will move in and engage to keep those troops away from Clark - our objective.
We will engage the guys who abandoned Kota Bahru again - tomorrow - and although only part of 5th Division is on their tail - engineers had to stay at Kota to fix the damage - I expect to win. We need one more day to assemble the attack on Alor Star - but it does not appear to be well defended - so Malaya is about to enter the persuit phase - but very early - it is only the third day. His bombers were as aggressive as ever - but mainly died - and seem to be demoralized. I managed to come up with one strong morale squadron in every area - so we will go back to limited offensives with air tomorrow (vs the forces fleeing South from the Japanese advance). The small carrier force will be at sea - supporting one of three surface action groups in the Celebes Sea - one of them heavy (two Kongos) - the other two having four CAs. These should produce more SOP one sided surface battles - the kind where we don't take a single hit but they sink. [This is the only kind of surface action I actually like]
Poly is better at ASW than other players - and he sank one sub on his first try near Hawaii - and sent another home in the South China Sea. He builds ASW groups and seems to send them where recon reports subs are at. I have another sub at Layton Island unlikely to make it home - and a different sub has formed a task unit with it - so survivors will be picked up if it sinks. On the subject of submarines - I have tried a wide dispersal of subs in Central Pacific in hopes of finding that other pesky carrier - and I have subs running the standard tracks to San Francisco hoping to catch a cripple out of Hawaii some day soon (if ever he sends anything out of there - which seems not to have happened yet).
China is China - I am trying to clear it out and seem to be doing so - but it can turn bad in a hurry (see the game with OSO) - so it is too soon to tell. He is running three naval units up the Yangtze toward Chunking - to get them out of harms way I suppose - and I am hunting them with airplanes and gunboats.
RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
You aren't taking Hawaii? Building Hilo/Kona or even Lahaina and then reducing PH with eminently replaceable twin-engined army bombers is highly cost-effective.
John Dillworth: "I had GreyJoy check my spelling and he said it was fine."
Well, that's that settled then.
Well, that's that settled then.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
The third day continued to demonstrate that Poly is an aggressive Allied player. He even won eight small victories - all of which he set himself up for - and it is clear he tried to do this 3 or 4 times more than that.
First of all - he ordered a lot of air units to do naval attacks in the SRA - but his units were too tired or too high or too opposed by fighters to succeed - with a single exception: an air strike out of Port Moresby hit a ship unloading at Buna. My favorite strike occurred NE of Borneo - where a strike of 3 B-10s was opposed by Claude and Pete carrier and seaplane fighters - that must be the small carrier force which has CVEs and Chitose and Chiyoda in CVS form. Both Claude and Pete units managed one kill - as did the AA on a cruiser. This is not the first Pete kill in the game - but the second: they don't often score - but they sometimes do - and this is the way it was in 1941.
Next, he sent a force of 2 USN and one Philippine Army PT boat divisions (3 craft per unit in RHS) to Linguyan Gulf at San Fernando -
and they fought a series of five daylight actions - to their extermination. In the first of both Filipino's and Americans managed to torpedo a destroyer - and both were lost (one directly - the other by scuttling). This was a heavy force - and it is unusual for PT boats to do this well - but clearly it is possible.
Next he achieved an operational surprise by sending a P-40 squadron to Hong Kong - it is not clear how many planes were present either. Three different air stikes on his ships at sea in the hex were cut up by 4 of these planes. Then things got ugly - a Nell strike out of Formosa came in escorted by 71 Zeros -- and they claimed 8 kills on the same 4 planes. Later a rare early victory wiped out his position in Hong Kong - I supported with a HQ - with artillery - with extra infantry - and air power - and it fell on the third day - and 2 more P-40s were lost on the ground.
Next, he went sub hunting, and he found subs at Batavia and Singapore - sending both home in damaged condition before they could deliver weapons. This is becoming a pattern - and it may deter sending subs to predictable port locations.
Finally, in China he won two victories of a more passive sort - Japanese attacks at Wuhan and near Shanghai suffered almost 900 casualties against strong forces he moved in. The Chinese are not good on the attack - but they are nasty on the defense if not isolated and weak.
He also had a guerilla unit show it is too tough for an SNLF - it stood its ground and gave better than it lost. Hit these guys with brigades or divisions - not battalions.
Advance elements of 5th Division hit a single brigade in Central Malaya - this unit is strung out all the way to Bangkok where 5 shiploads of it got misrouted - and it sent them packing. But it appears to have been a delaying action - and it did prevent a fast march by a motorized force. The attack for Alor Star should be delayed again -- the infantry is taking its time moving one hex over rail (very wierd) - but I decided to do an attack by armor supported by artillery and air - just in case it too is just a weak force. Elements of two divisions should arrive tomorrow - so a counterattack will be a disaster for him.
In his gravest error so far - Baguio was defended only by the battalion that retreated from Appari - no doubt in weak condition - and it fell to the main body of 48th Division with three artillery units in support. We will wait a day or two to assemble a force big enough to hit Clark - some parts of the force are still unloading from ships at San Fernando - but I believe in initiative and surprise - and this end run strategy should cat him where it really matters - at non-malarial, flat Clark/Angeles City. This is my area - I was stationed in the Philippines and I go there regularly - so the map was modified to make Baguio key - it is non malarial, mountainous, a supply and resource center and an airfield. If defended it is a hard nut to crack.
KB launched a full strike on Johnston - in revenge for an attack out of it yesterday - and bagged 2 bombers that did not die in the air massacre at that time. It also was shut down - so he has no eyes to watch it retire - and put subs in its path. I used a tricky return route - and it should be able to pick up aircraft in about three days. It also refueled again - and the tankers will to to Kwajalein - unload - and then on to Truck to support operations from there for the duration. Truk will be the forward base for the heavy units - so they can get where needed in any contingency.
First of all - he ordered a lot of air units to do naval attacks in the SRA - but his units were too tired or too high or too opposed by fighters to succeed - with a single exception: an air strike out of Port Moresby hit a ship unloading at Buna. My favorite strike occurred NE of Borneo - where a strike of 3 B-10s was opposed by Claude and Pete carrier and seaplane fighters - that must be the small carrier force which has CVEs and Chitose and Chiyoda in CVS form. Both Claude and Pete units managed one kill - as did the AA on a cruiser. This is not the first Pete kill in the game - but the second: they don't often score - but they sometimes do - and this is the way it was in 1941.
Next, he sent a force of 2 USN and one Philippine Army PT boat divisions (3 craft per unit in RHS) to Linguyan Gulf at San Fernando -
and they fought a series of five daylight actions - to their extermination. In the first of both Filipino's and Americans managed to torpedo a destroyer - and both were lost (one directly - the other by scuttling). This was a heavy force - and it is unusual for PT boats to do this well - but clearly it is possible.
Next he achieved an operational surprise by sending a P-40 squadron to Hong Kong - it is not clear how many planes were present either. Three different air stikes on his ships at sea in the hex were cut up by 4 of these planes. Then things got ugly - a Nell strike out of Formosa came in escorted by 71 Zeros -- and they claimed 8 kills on the same 4 planes. Later a rare early victory wiped out his position in Hong Kong - I supported with a HQ - with artillery - with extra infantry - and air power - and it fell on the third day - and 2 more P-40s were lost on the ground.
Next, he went sub hunting, and he found subs at Batavia and Singapore - sending both home in damaged condition before they could deliver weapons. This is becoming a pattern - and it may deter sending subs to predictable port locations.
Finally, in China he won two victories of a more passive sort - Japanese attacks at Wuhan and near Shanghai suffered almost 900 casualties against strong forces he moved in. The Chinese are not good on the attack - but they are nasty on the defense if not isolated and weak.
He also had a guerilla unit show it is too tough for an SNLF - it stood its ground and gave better than it lost. Hit these guys with brigades or divisions - not battalions.
Advance elements of 5th Division hit a single brigade in Central Malaya - this unit is strung out all the way to Bangkok where 5 shiploads of it got misrouted - and it sent them packing. But it appears to have been a delaying action - and it did prevent a fast march by a motorized force. The attack for Alor Star should be delayed again -- the infantry is taking its time moving one hex over rail (very wierd) - but I decided to do an attack by armor supported by artillery and air - just in case it too is just a weak force. Elements of two divisions should arrive tomorrow - so a counterattack will be a disaster for him.
In his gravest error so far - Baguio was defended only by the battalion that retreated from Appari - no doubt in weak condition - and it fell to the main body of 48th Division with three artillery units in support. We will wait a day or two to assemble a force big enough to hit Clark - some parts of the force are still unloading from ships at San Fernando - but I believe in initiative and surprise - and this end run strategy should cat him where it really matters - at non-malarial, flat Clark/Angeles City. This is my area - I was stationed in the Philippines and I go there regularly - so the map was modified to make Baguio key - it is non malarial, mountainous, a supply and resource center and an airfield. If defended it is a hard nut to crack.
KB launched a full strike on Johnston - in revenge for an attack out of it yesterday - and bagged 2 bombers that did not die in the air massacre at that time. It also was shut down - so he has no eyes to watch it retire - and put subs in its path. I used a tricky return route - and it should be able to pick up aircraft in about three days. It also refueled again - and the tankers will to to Kwajalein - unload - and then on to Truck to support operations from there for the duration. Truk will be the forward base for the heavy units - so they can get where needed in any contingency.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
Poly continues his aggressive play style - invading Hanyang Wuhan - the first player to do so. This is correct: it is a supply source in the heart of China - and dies as such the moment he enters it. This may seem to work for a while - I never panic under fire - and I will clean out the LOC before I fight for Wuhan on a major scale: it is the only way. Tomorrow we will attack three guerilla bands - supported by air - and move units and ships to insure supplies at critical points. Still - he is fighting for China the way that can work - fight for the heart - far from the sea - where it can generate supplies for the enemy - and deny the central rail net to him.
Kiddo Butai continues to retire - and will rebuild air units in a few days. Morale is back and we need so few planes I turned off Kate production.
I am concerned with the battle for Lae vs the New Guinea Volunteer Force - so a battalion of the South Seas Regiment at Buna will sail to back up the naval landing party and construction engineers - and a major air strike will hit the place tomorrow - as will the last avaliable element of airborne. We need to be building it as a base - not withering away there. At the same time I have ordered a battalion not yet landed at kavieng to move on Rabaul directly - and we bombard with battleships tomorrow: Rabaul is being used as an air base with too much effect (even if ony about one bomb hit per day). We cannot do anything about Port Moresby until we have Buna, Lae and Rabaul functioning.
Alor Star was only defended by the immobile units - and it fell to a preliminary assault before the infantry arrived. Looks like he means to fight for Georgetown though - several units are reported to be there. In the middle of Malaya - troops are trying to catch up with units driven out of Kota Bahru.
The march on clark ran into a snafu: too much of 48th Division arrived in the Baguio hex - halting the advance of the division. Meanwhile - artillery and engineers were way ahead on the road. I halted them- and restarted the drive: we don't want artillery alone to enter that hex with all the defenses there. In two days we should assault Clark. Only the Armor from Legaspi made it to Naga - so we cannot attack there for about two days as well. Enemy subs are concentrated on the SLOC North of Luzon - so we are intensely hunting them. We find many fighters at Clark - 38 - also bombers - so we will hit it hard by air tomorrow.
Kiddo Butai continues to retire - and will rebuild air units in a few days. Morale is back and we need so few planes I turned off Kate production.
I am concerned with the battle for Lae vs the New Guinea Volunteer Force - so a battalion of the South Seas Regiment at Buna will sail to back up the naval landing party and construction engineers - and a major air strike will hit the place tomorrow - as will the last avaliable element of airborne. We need to be building it as a base - not withering away there. At the same time I have ordered a battalion not yet landed at kavieng to move on Rabaul directly - and we bombard with battleships tomorrow: Rabaul is being used as an air base with too much effect (even if ony about one bomb hit per day). We cannot do anything about Port Moresby until we have Buna, Lae and Rabaul functioning.
Alor Star was only defended by the immobile units - and it fell to a preliminary assault before the infantry arrived. Looks like he means to fight for Georgetown though - several units are reported to be there. In the middle of Malaya - troops are trying to catch up with units driven out of Kota Bahru.
The march on clark ran into a snafu: too much of 48th Division arrived in the Baguio hex - halting the advance of the division. Meanwhile - artillery and engineers were way ahead on the road. I halted them- and restarted the drive: we don't want artillery alone to enter that hex with all the defenses there. In two days we should assault Clark. Only the Armor from Legaspi made it to Naga - so we cannot attack there for about two days as well. Enemy subs are concentrated on the SLOC North of Luzon - so we are intensely hunting them. We find many fighters at Clark - 38 - also bombers - so we will hit it hard by air tomorrow.
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el cid again
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
Poly sent the ASW group that hurt a sub (probably fatally) yesterday into the Malacca Strait after another. He had to pay for it - it torpedoed a destroyer - but he probably killed it too - although it isn't yet dunk. Later in the day Ki-30s hit the same destroyer twice - so maybe it is in trouble too.
A battalion of the South Seas Regiment landed at Lae - and part of an airbonre SNLF landed to trigger attacks by it, two units there already, and itself: this failed. Unlike every other game, the New Guinea tribesmen are standing their ground - dishing out many times what they take - and probably getting no supplies. I cannot explain it. I supported with a bomber strike by most of the bombers in the area - 38 made it to the target.
Lots of air strikes from Rabaul all the way to Malaya - but not much impact. One bomb hit on Suzuya off Sarawak. Many of these units were driven away by Claudes and Petes - and those that penetrated uniformly - well almost uniformly - missed. But it shows an aggressive style - if not an undertanding of how to get masses and high morale in order to be effective.
In China, on Guam, on Nauru Island, as well as at Lae - Allied units are holding out - and dishing out many times the casualties they take. But except for Central China - we may be in trouble at Wuhan - logistics and air power mean we must win. We drove back two guerilla bands on rail lines so we can attack Chengchow in two days - we move into position tomorrow. We are invading out of Viet Nam - and moving to isolate troops West of Shanghai - all of which should pay off in the near term. We did take many tiny ineffective air strikes in China today. Looks like these units are too small to matter and too demoralized to work.
The two remaining positions in Northern Luzon fell today - so we can move out onto the central plains and attack at Clark - as planned. We are just going to hold at Naga - and weaken units there with battleshp bombardment - keeping those many units far from the battle that matters - in the North.
A battalion of the South Seas Regiment landed at Lae - and part of an airbonre SNLF landed to trigger attacks by it, two units there already, and itself: this failed. Unlike every other game, the New Guinea tribesmen are standing their ground - dishing out many times what they take - and probably getting no supplies. I cannot explain it. I supported with a bomber strike by most of the bombers in the area - 38 made it to the target.
Lots of air strikes from Rabaul all the way to Malaya - but not much impact. One bomb hit on Suzuya off Sarawak. Many of these units were driven away by Claudes and Petes - and those that penetrated uniformly - well almost uniformly - missed. But it shows an aggressive style - if not an undertanding of how to get masses and high morale in order to be effective.
In China, on Guam, on Nauru Island, as well as at Lae - Allied units are holding out - and dishing out many times the casualties they take. But except for Central China - we may be in trouble at Wuhan - logistics and air power mean we must win. We drove back two guerilla bands on rail lines so we can attack Chengchow in two days - we move into position tomorrow. We are invading out of Viet Nam - and moving to isolate troops West of Shanghai - all of which should pay off in the near term. We did take many tiny ineffective air strikes in China today. Looks like these units are too small to matter and too demoralized to work.
The two remaining positions in Northern Luzon fell today - so we can move out onto the central plains and attack at Clark - as planned. We are just going to hold at Naga - and weaken units there with battleshp bombardment - keeping those many units far from the battle that matters - in the North.
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el cid again
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
Finally Lae fell - to the first assault of a fresh battalion of the South Seas Detachment along with the original naval landing force and construction battalion which should have been sufficient. Expansion of its rare and valuable airfield - in a port hex - far enough forward to matter - can now begin.
Similarly, Nauru Island fell - with only part of the second assault force landed - another echelon was en route. Now we will route a base force there and we diverted the replenishment TF there - since it never produces any fuel. A cargo ship was scuttled because it failed to run.
He wants to torpedo a carrier - and the air ASW carpet near Kwajalein has failed to drive all the subs away - it is not particularly strong even if it does have every available aircraft assigned - so we are diverting them - and some tankers inbound from Tokyo - to Enewetok. No point in taking chances, we can get replacements there just as well - and it is on the route to Truk anyway. One squadron badly needs Kates - it has only three.
The early assault on Rabaul was aborted - only 2 of 4 ships actually loaded troops - and only one of those loaded even a few fighting squads - so back to Kavieng to get the rest of the naval landing force. But the Battleship bombardment went in - doing heavy damage - and we will try this process again in about three days - in force.
In Malaya both drives need another day for the infantry to catch up with faster support elements - so we are focused on airbase attacks on Georgetown and Singapore. A fairly strong attack went in on Singapore's airfields today - and we cut them up in air combat a bit - but the Buffalo's refused to fight after a while - and they did well enough to prevent heavy damage by the bombers (opposed raids are less likely to score well).
Up at Rangoon the story is different. Strong air opposition was overcome - and significant damage was done - not only to the field - but to aircraft on it - a dozen planes of six types being lost - at no great cost. The airbase/port infrastructure in Thailand is coming up well - and two of the three routes to Burma have division task forces in the jungle tracks. It appears there is no opposition on the gorund in the South.
On Luzon the situation is very strange - only the 1/12th battalion (an element of the Philippine 12th Reserve Division - one of the better awful units of the Philippine Army) defends Linguyan - so the advance into the hex by two tank regiments and engineers continues. Meanwhile the 48th Division heavily reinforced started a drive on Clark via Balinta Pass (Baguio). There is not very much at Clark either - 5 units total presumably including air support. Only one unit defends Naga - so a tank company (the only unit to make it so far) will attack - with lots of support from air and battleships - to see if it will fall prematurely?
At sea the Asiatic Fleet continues to try to be aggressive - but without success. Three RN PT units from Hong Kong went in at Linguyan - where only 3 transports and a tiny 3 unit SAG remain - and got "lucky" in that they ran into the transports first. The transport leader succered them into following him directly to the "warships" - and 2 of the 3 units damaged PT elements (the PC unit prooved unable to score a hit at all). No torpedoes or guns hit our ships - not even machine guns. So we ended up being the lucky ones after all. At sea about 5 submarines continue to be in awkward places - but we are no longer radically rerouting shipping - and we are starting to take back bombers from ASW carpet duty for other missions. One sub was sunk outright - and two more hit.
In China things are a much more mixed bag. Hong Kong fell very early - and offensive units from there have advanced to contact down the Pearl River. We are just sitting there - taking the time to engage air bases first. The offensive out of Indochina is going to hit the guerilla unit again tomorrow. Another guerilla band hit in south China retreated today - and we try to repeat the process with a more vital case tomorrow - on a road line critical to supply in the area. An air battle was more or less a draw - with few losses and little damage to his base- so we will try that again with more power as well. Supplies are building up at critical points - but no major attacks will go in tomorrow. Units continue to move to attack position - or to places to eat better. It looks like we might win the LOC battle - and also pocket 5 or 6 armies - but we are not trying to take Wuhan back (2 hexes are contested) until we have the LOC and units to do it. He is still not running in the SE - and this should be fatal.
Similarly, Nauru Island fell - with only part of the second assault force landed - another echelon was en route. Now we will route a base force there and we diverted the replenishment TF there - since it never produces any fuel. A cargo ship was scuttled because it failed to run.
He wants to torpedo a carrier - and the air ASW carpet near Kwajalein has failed to drive all the subs away - it is not particularly strong even if it does have every available aircraft assigned - so we are diverting them - and some tankers inbound from Tokyo - to Enewetok. No point in taking chances, we can get replacements there just as well - and it is on the route to Truk anyway. One squadron badly needs Kates - it has only three.
The early assault on Rabaul was aborted - only 2 of 4 ships actually loaded troops - and only one of those loaded even a few fighting squads - so back to Kavieng to get the rest of the naval landing force. But the Battleship bombardment went in - doing heavy damage - and we will try this process again in about three days - in force.
In Malaya both drives need another day for the infantry to catch up with faster support elements - so we are focused on airbase attacks on Georgetown and Singapore. A fairly strong attack went in on Singapore's airfields today - and we cut them up in air combat a bit - but the Buffalo's refused to fight after a while - and they did well enough to prevent heavy damage by the bombers (opposed raids are less likely to score well).
Up at Rangoon the story is different. Strong air opposition was overcome - and significant damage was done - not only to the field - but to aircraft on it - a dozen planes of six types being lost - at no great cost. The airbase/port infrastructure in Thailand is coming up well - and two of the three routes to Burma have division task forces in the jungle tracks. It appears there is no opposition on the gorund in the South.
On Luzon the situation is very strange - only the 1/12th battalion (an element of the Philippine 12th Reserve Division - one of the better awful units of the Philippine Army) defends Linguyan - so the advance into the hex by two tank regiments and engineers continues. Meanwhile the 48th Division heavily reinforced started a drive on Clark via Balinta Pass (Baguio). There is not very much at Clark either - 5 units total presumably including air support. Only one unit defends Naga - so a tank company (the only unit to make it so far) will attack - with lots of support from air and battleships - to see if it will fall prematurely?
At sea the Asiatic Fleet continues to try to be aggressive - but without success. Three RN PT units from Hong Kong went in at Linguyan - where only 3 transports and a tiny 3 unit SAG remain - and got "lucky" in that they ran into the transports first. The transport leader succered them into following him directly to the "warships" - and 2 of the 3 units damaged PT elements (the PC unit prooved unable to score a hit at all). No torpedoes or guns hit our ships - not even machine guns. So we ended up being the lucky ones after all. At sea about 5 submarines continue to be in awkward places - but we are no longer radically rerouting shipping - and we are starting to take back bombers from ASW carpet duty for other missions. One sub was sunk outright - and two more hit.
In China things are a much more mixed bag. Hong Kong fell very early - and offensive units from there have advanced to contact down the Pearl River. We are just sitting there - taking the time to engage air bases first. The offensive out of Indochina is going to hit the guerilla unit again tomorrow. Another guerilla band hit in south China retreated today - and we try to repeat the process with a more vital case tomorrow - on a road line critical to supply in the area. An air battle was more or less a draw - with few losses and little damage to his base- so we will try that again with more power as well. Supplies are building up at critical points - but no major attacks will go in tomorrow. Units continue to move to attack position - or to places to eat better. It looks like we might win the LOC battle - and also pocket 5 or 6 armies - but we are not trying to take Wuhan back (2 hexes are contested) until we have the LOC and units to do it. He is still not running in the SE - and this should be fatal.
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el cid again
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
Today first blood went to the Japanese: an obscure Allied DD named Bulmer hit a mine at Ambon.
That is the good news. There was not a lot of it.
Night fighters actually flew a naval strike mission out of Rangoon - pretty rare. Only 3 showed up
at Bangkok over the target - and failed to hit - but it was unusual and disconcerting to see them
trying - not something that happens very often. In the morning 34 Oscars escorted 17 Ki-21s in a raid
on Rangoon - and got 2 Buffalos in the air and 1 of these Blenheim Night Fighters on the ground -
which seems a poor reward for such a large force.
A six DD ASW group engaged I-22 at Palmyra. Although she managed to torpedo USS Ward,
she took no less than 5 hits, and is not very likely to make it the long distance back to Kwajalein.
To give her a better chance I set her for a slightly nearer Level 3 port. But she should sink en route.
I-169 managed to torpedo an AK apparently inbound to Pearl, but the 4 DD escort gave her a bad time -
and it is ominous that AKs are escorted so strongly so early.
Kongo and Haruna bombarded Naga - hoping to weaken a lone armor unit there enough it would run.
Tanaka - with 3 of the old 6 gun CAs - bombarded Rabaul - apparently with effect (34 runway hits, but not
good enough to shut it down).
Ki-51s raided Honan - unescorted - and did OK - only 1 was lost - but this is not the way to be effective. His fighters are well
forward and unusually effective - usually I run air strikes in China without regard to fighters - but I can't do this here.
18 Ki-21s hit Manadalay - also unescorted - losing 4 to the AVG - which was not known to be present - and the Sally's aborted, refusing to drop bombs over the target.
25 Ki-48s hit Georgetown - also unescorted - and in spite of Buffalo CAP managed to destroy a Whiraway on the ground - and mess up the airfield a bit (13 hits reported).
8 Blenheims hit 55th division on its jungle trek the short way to Burma - with effect - the first time I have seen Allied planes attempt to weaken attacking ground forces in this way in any game.
3 raids hit the ROC 48th guerilla regiment - and 1 more the 52nd - all with effect. Deliberate attacks pitted over 6000 men vs 600 in one case - and was not decisive. The other pitted over 4700 against 540 - and was also not decisive. The guerilla units are as pesky as my design intent for them wanted.
Many Allied anti-ship strikes were launched region wide. One out of PM hit Manju Maru at sea. Another hit Kowa Maru at Buna. Another on Luzon hit Anzan Maru three times at Luaog - tiny 100 pound bombs on P-35s.
Nells put a torpedo into AK Hai Lea at Mindoro - operating out of Cagayan.
The first pure armor battle I have ever seen pitted 20 IJA vehicles vs 81 at Naga - about half of them low quality tanks on both sides. In spite of battleship and air bombardment - the Allies held the position. But 16th Division arrived during the day - and a general attack will go in tomorrow. Two tank regiments arrived at Linguyan - and will engage a single battalion there tomorrow - the weakest defense of Linguyan I have ever seen. The main force on Luzon is trying to march on Clark out of the mountains - and isn't there yet.
A combined arms Japanese force - HQ - tanks - infantry - crossed the Yellow River at Changchow - and was forced by code to perform a shock attack. About 1:1 in numbers it went in as 0:1 in game terms - and badly disrupted the attackers. But this is a key position on the rail LOC - and we won't have to shock attack any more. The location will no longer generate supplies for the enemy.
Hollendia - undefended - fell as expected. And a guerilla unit in South China retreated - as expected. We are driving along the coast to secure the coastal towns (and resources) between Indochina and Hainan.
The big news is the omnipresence of submarines. One is hard on the tail of KB - he must have long range bomber recon out of Canton - and our diversion of many ships to evade or engage them. Also many air units. The cost of this is great - but the cost of ignoring submarines is too high. From Formosa and Luzon to the Central Pacific - and at Osaka - we are engaged by these pesky boats. KB rediverted to Kwajalein - it will get there tomorrow - so it would not be on a predictable course for Enewetok. It will replenish badly depleted air units.
That is the good news. There was not a lot of it.
Night fighters actually flew a naval strike mission out of Rangoon - pretty rare. Only 3 showed up
at Bangkok over the target - and failed to hit - but it was unusual and disconcerting to see them
trying - not something that happens very often. In the morning 34 Oscars escorted 17 Ki-21s in a raid
on Rangoon - and got 2 Buffalos in the air and 1 of these Blenheim Night Fighters on the ground -
which seems a poor reward for such a large force.
A six DD ASW group engaged I-22 at Palmyra. Although she managed to torpedo USS Ward,
she took no less than 5 hits, and is not very likely to make it the long distance back to Kwajalein.
To give her a better chance I set her for a slightly nearer Level 3 port. But she should sink en route.
I-169 managed to torpedo an AK apparently inbound to Pearl, but the 4 DD escort gave her a bad time -
and it is ominous that AKs are escorted so strongly so early.
Kongo and Haruna bombarded Naga - hoping to weaken a lone armor unit there enough it would run.
Tanaka - with 3 of the old 6 gun CAs - bombarded Rabaul - apparently with effect (34 runway hits, but not
good enough to shut it down).
Ki-51s raided Honan - unescorted - and did OK - only 1 was lost - but this is not the way to be effective. His fighters are well
forward and unusually effective - usually I run air strikes in China without regard to fighters - but I can't do this here.
18 Ki-21s hit Manadalay - also unescorted - losing 4 to the AVG - which was not known to be present - and the Sally's aborted, refusing to drop bombs over the target.
25 Ki-48s hit Georgetown - also unescorted - and in spite of Buffalo CAP managed to destroy a Whiraway on the ground - and mess up the airfield a bit (13 hits reported).
8 Blenheims hit 55th division on its jungle trek the short way to Burma - with effect - the first time I have seen Allied planes attempt to weaken attacking ground forces in this way in any game.
3 raids hit the ROC 48th guerilla regiment - and 1 more the 52nd - all with effect. Deliberate attacks pitted over 6000 men vs 600 in one case - and was not decisive. The other pitted over 4700 against 540 - and was also not decisive. The guerilla units are as pesky as my design intent for them wanted.
Many Allied anti-ship strikes were launched region wide. One out of PM hit Manju Maru at sea. Another hit Kowa Maru at Buna. Another on Luzon hit Anzan Maru three times at Luaog - tiny 100 pound bombs on P-35s.
Nells put a torpedo into AK Hai Lea at Mindoro - operating out of Cagayan.
The first pure armor battle I have ever seen pitted 20 IJA vehicles vs 81 at Naga - about half of them low quality tanks on both sides. In spite of battleship and air bombardment - the Allies held the position. But 16th Division arrived during the day - and a general attack will go in tomorrow. Two tank regiments arrived at Linguyan - and will engage a single battalion there tomorrow - the weakest defense of Linguyan I have ever seen. The main force on Luzon is trying to march on Clark out of the mountains - and isn't there yet.
A combined arms Japanese force - HQ - tanks - infantry - crossed the Yellow River at Changchow - and was forced by code to perform a shock attack. About 1:1 in numbers it went in as 0:1 in game terms - and badly disrupted the attackers. But this is a key position on the rail LOC - and we won't have to shock attack any more. The location will no longer generate supplies for the enemy.
Hollendia - undefended - fell as expected. And a guerilla unit in South China retreated - as expected. We are driving along the coast to secure the coastal towns (and resources) between Indochina and Hainan.
The big news is the omnipresence of submarines. One is hard on the tail of KB - he must have long range bomber recon out of Canton - and our diversion of many ships to evade or engage them. Also many air units. The cost of this is great - but the cost of ignoring submarines is too high. From Formosa and Luzon to the Central Pacific - and at Osaka - we are engaged by these pesky boats. KB rediverted to Kwajalein - it will get there tomorrow - so it would not be on a predictable course for Enewetok. It will replenish badly depleted air units.
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el cid again
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- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:40 pm
RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
Poly is aggressive with submarines and mine warfare - badly disrupting Japanese rear area operations - even deep rear operations (there is a submarine at Osaka for example). He also is sometimes aggressive with surface forces - he is the only player I have seen to use Force Z successfully in its historical role - causing the landings at Kuching to be aborted - and there is a record in ship sinkings that a destroyer went down to 15 inch British naval guns. He has not yet been aggressive with carriers - and he has problems with that: Enterprise was lost and none of the carriers yet have good aircraft. He has not been aggressive on land - except in China - where he poses a greater challenge than any other player - because he invaded but did not attack at Wuhan - a position I cannot drive him from until after I have a strong LOC/supply situation deep in China.
Today we returned to Sarawak - bombarding - and unexpectedly hit two AKs- he was running in supplies - or supplies and troops - or trying to evacuate troops - or some combination of the above. We landed enough of the 4th Independent Regiment and supplies to attempt a general attack tomorrow - and the supply state and disruption levels of all units is good enough for this to work. We will support with carrier air strikes and bombers out of Saigon. The small carrier force will stand off - covering with ASW, LRCAP and ground support - because it generates twice as many sortees if not in port and because we don't want a sub to be able to find it. There is a sub that attacked at Kuching today - but it missed (in spite of being Dutch with good torpedoes). Tokitsukaze managed to score a hit on her - but maybe not enough to send her home.
Ships inbound for Miri have diverted to assault Brunei directly - both warships and transports. We divided the warships into bombardment group and ASW group - because there is a sub lurking at Miri.
We had to clear minefields at four locations today - and they ran into mines at Palembang. We created specialist ASW and mine hunting task groups at Bako and Saigon - and an ASW group in the Home Islands to help planes contest Osaka. We have an ASW carrier group off Northern Luzon as well.
Today we returned to Sarawak - bombarding - and unexpectedly hit two AKs- he was running in supplies - or supplies and troops - or trying to evacuate troops - or some combination of the above. We landed enough of the 4th Independent Regiment and supplies to attempt a general attack tomorrow - and the supply state and disruption levels of all units is good enough for this to work. We will support with carrier air strikes and bombers out of Saigon. The small carrier force will stand off - covering with ASW, LRCAP and ground support - because it generates twice as many sortees if not in port and because we don't want a sub to be able to find it. There is a sub that attacked at Kuching today - but it missed (in spite of being Dutch with good torpedoes). Tokitsukaze managed to score a hit on her - but maybe not enough to send her home.
Ships inbound for Miri have diverted to assault Brunei directly - both warships and transports. We divided the warships into bombardment group and ASW group - because there is a sub lurking at Miri.
We had to clear minefields at four locations today - and they ran into mines at Palembang. We created specialist ASW and mine hunting task groups at Bako and Saigon - and an ASW group in the Home Islands to help planes contest Osaka. We have an ASW carrier group off Northern Luzon as well.
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el cid again
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- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:40 pm
RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick strikes back
ORIGINAL: el cid again
Poly is aggressive with submarines and mine warfare - badly disrupting Japanese rear area operations - even deep rear operations (there is a submarine at Osaka for example). He also is sometimes aggressive with surface forces - he is the only player I have seen to use Force Z successfully in its historical role - causing the landings at Kuching to be aborted - and there is a record in ship sinkings that a destroyer went down to 15 inch British naval guns. He has not yet been aggressive with carriers - and he has problems with that: Enterprise was lost and none of the carriers yet have good aircraft. He has not been aggressive on land - except in China - where he poses a greater challenge than any other player - because he invaded but did not attack at Wuhan - a position I cannot drive him from until after I have a strong LOC/supply situation deep in China.
Today we returned to Sarawak - bombarding - and unexpectedly hit two AKs- he was running in supplies - or supplies and troops - or trying to evacuate troops - or some combination of the above. We landed enough of the 4th Independent Regiment and supplies to attempt a general attack tomorrow - and the supply state and disruption levels of all units is good enough for this to work. We will support with carrier air strikes and bombers out of Saigon. The small carrier force will stand off - covering with ASW, LRCAP and ground support - because it generates twice as many sortees if not in port and because we don't want a sub to be able to find it. There is a sub that attacked at Kuching today - but it missed (in spite of being Dutch with good torpedoes). Tokitsukaze managed to score a hit on her - but maybe not enough to send her home.
Ships inbound for Miri have diverted to assault Brunei directly - both warships and transports. We divided the warships into bombardment group and ASW group - because there is a sub lurking at Miri.
We had to clear minefields at four locations today - and they ran into mines at Palembang. We created specialist ASW and mine hunting task groups at Bako and Saigon - and an ASW group in the Home Islands to help planes contest Osaka. We have an ASW carrier group off Northern Luzon as well.
Counter air bomber attacks at Hengchow, Kwelin and Wuchow were expensive - and did not take down either base. The ROC air force is more effective in this game than in most. It is based entirely on forward bases with ample supplies. We lost 6 planes - killed only 7 planes - and did moderate airfield damage.
The daily sweep of Manila killed 5 with no losses for the Japanese.
Several Japanese and one Allied Air strike on ground units did moderate damage. Several Allied air strikes on naval units were combat ineffective but one at Kavieng scored 2 hits on an AK. A Japanese air attack on naval units at Manila hit 3 of 4 PGs targeted.
Tanaka bombarded Rabaul with 3 six gun CAs - with modest effect - but it is an indicator of things to come - he will be joined by a BB task group.
An armor attack captured Linguyan - there were only 96 defenders - and the tanks will roll on to Clark - where 48th Division should arrive tomorrow with lots of support (via Baguio hex). A US armore battalion was driven out of Naga by 16th Division. He is not defending strongly at a distance - he is withdrawing to Manila and/or Bataan.
The story is the same in Malaya - two attacks drove out tiny dending forces - in the center and at Georgetown - he is running for Singapore (not for Kuala Lumpur - which retains only 2 static units).
Chang Rai in Northern Thailand came under control - mainly a supply and resource source. Taking locations in Thailand is important to getting a forward area that is helpful in logistical terms.
We moved seaplane naval search planes and Zero fighters to Lae today - to cover landing more of the aviation support elements. We moved flying boats to Kuching - also for search. Part of Nanyo detachment left Lae for Rabaul - and a naval landing force left Truk for the same destination.
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el cid again
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- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:40 pm
RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick returns to active play
Poly lost his hard drive and had to reinstall. He is back. I had forgotten how aggressively he uses submarines or mines - or how disruptive they can be. About half my vital forward bases are in suspended mode while we fight one or the other or both. The turn began with landings at Sawawak - and O19 torpedoing Takao at Miri (two hits - she needs to get repairs - of course). Yodogawa Maru hit a mine at Kwajalein - she the only ship with troops too - it will badly disrupt their landing and may cost both ship and troops: I sent her away to evade a submarine also present. An ASW group at Takao had a PC unit hit a mine too. A sub at Gram converted most of the air units there to ASW - but two will hit the port - which still holds a tanker. We had to suspend landing more troops for a while - but enough supplies are ashore .
Later the many small units at Sarawak - including a CSNLF and a Independent Mixed Regiment - took the place - after many air strikes from both sides - ours effective vs land - his ineffective vs ships. The light carrier force covering offshore (for ASW, ground support and fighter missions) went to cover landings at Brunei. A major transport force continues to unload supplies - but will pick up troops for the assault on Brunei. Then - supplies, fuel and damage permitting - we will go for Sinkawang.
I-169 North of PH was attacked by a six ship ASW TF - and hit 3 times - and needs to go home (and was lucky). Possibly this was deliberate - vectored in by air spotting - and if so - they may follow the sub and do it again.
We landed at Sarawak and Rabaul and will attack tomorrow. Naval gunfire support was provided and will be repeated every day or two until they fall. Reinforcements of regimental size will be sent to both locations for a coup de grace in about 4-5 days. Undefended Shortlands was taken and Buin will fall tomorrow.
Most Japanese ASW TF failed but the one at Cam Rahn bay hit USS Salmon 4 times.
An air strike on Wuchow damaged the airfield but the planes had left the area.
87 Zeros led 27 Nells into Manila - but the Nells - formerly on ASW duty - came in too low - and 8 were lost to AAA. Got to remember to fly above the machine guns. Two P-26 "Peashooters" (the pilot unofficial nickname) were shot down - indicating the defense was by the Philippine Air Force.
Blenheims attacked 55th Division "Brigade" en route to Burma on the jungle trails - causing 12 casualties.
Many Allied anti ship air attacks were modest and ineffective.
Later the many small units at Sarawak - including a CSNLF and a Independent Mixed Regiment - took the place - after many air strikes from both sides - ours effective vs land - his ineffective vs ships. The light carrier force covering offshore (for ASW, ground support and fighter missions) went to cover landings at Brunei. A major transport force continues to unload supplies - but will pick up troops for the assault on Brunei. Then - supplies, fuel and damage permitting - we will go for Sinkawang.
I-169 North of PH was attacked by a six ship ASW TF - and hit 3 times - and needs to go home (and was lucky). Possibly this was deliberate - vectored in by air spotting - and if so - they may follow the sub and do it again.
We landed at Sarawak and Rabaul and will attack tomorrow. Naval gunfire support was provided and will be repeated every day or two until they fall. Reinforcements of regimental size will be sent to both locations for a coup de grace in about 4-5 days. Undefended Shortlands was taken and Buin will fall tomorrow.
Most Japanese ASW TF failed but the one at Cam Rahn bay hit USS Salmon 4 times.
An air strike on Wuchow damaged the airfield but the planes had left the area.
87 Zeros led 27 Nells into Manila - but the Nells - formerly on ASW duty - came in too low - and 8 were lost to AAA. Got to remember to fly above the machine guns. Two P-26 "Peashooters" (the pilot unofficial nickname) were shot down - indicating the defense was by the Philippine Air Force.
Blenheims attacked 55th Division "Brigade" en route to Burma on the jungle trails - causing 12 casualties.
Many Allied anti ship air attacks were modest and ineffective.
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el cid again
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- Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:40 pm
RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick returns to active play
ORIGINAL: el cid again
Poly lost his hard drive and had to reinstall. He is back. I had forgotten how aggressively he uses submarines or mines - or how disruptive they can be. About half my vital forward bases are in suspended mode while we fight one or the other or both. The turn began with landings at Sawawak - and O19 torpedoing Takao at Miri (two hits - she needs to get repairs - of course). Yodogawa Maru hit a mine at Kwajalein - she the only ship with troops too - it will badly disrupt their landing and may cost both ship and troops: I sent her away to evade a submarine also present. An ASW group at Takao had a PC unit hit a mine too. A sub at Gram converted most of the air units there to ASW - but two will hit the port - which still holds a tanker. We had to suspend landing more troops for a while - but enough supplies are ashore .
Later the many small units at Sarawak - including a CSNLF and a Independent Mixed Regiment - took the place - after many air strikes from both sides - ours effective vs land - his ineffective vs ships. The light carrier force covering offshore (for ASW, ground support and fighter missions) went to cover landings at Brunei. A major transport force continues to unload supplies - but will pick up troops for the assault on Brunei. Then - supplies, fuel and damage permitting - we will go for Sinkawang.
I-169 North of PH was attacked by a six ship ASW TF - and hit 3 times - and needs to go home (and was lucky). Possibly this was deliberate - vectored in by air spotting - and if so - they may follow the sub and do it again.
We landed at Sarawak and Rabaul and will attack tomorrow. Naval gunfire support was provided and will be repeated every day or two until they fall. Reinforcements of regimental size will be sent to both locations for a coup de grace in about 4-5 days. Undefended Shortlands was taken and Buin will fall tomorrow.
Most Japanese ASW TF failed but the one at Cam Rahn bay hit USS Salmon 4 times. Later the same TF repeated the process again, scoring 3 more times. Presumably Salmon is in trouble.
An air strike on Wuchow damaged the airfield but the planes had left the area.
87 Zeros led 27 Nells into Manila - but the Nells - formerly on ASW duty - came in too low - and 8 were lost to AAA. Got to remember to fly above the machine guns. Two P-26 "Peashooters" (the pilot unofficial nickname) were shot down - indicating the defense was by the Philippine Air Force.
Blenheims attacked 55th Division "Brigade" en route to Burma on the jungle trails - causing 12 casualties.
Many Allied anti ship air attacks were modest and ineffective. Four Nells out of Saigon put two torpedoes into RN destroyer Scout and sank her immediately.
Ground attack at Guam failed to take the position - again. We will simply keep this up for a few days. Guam is big - and it might have taken some time to track down defenders - had they gone into the bush. Essentially they didn't do that IRL (one famous radioman excepted) - and surrendered after a few minutes of technical fighting.
When Kuching fell to a general attack by about nine units, two ships in port were scuttled - and the Sarawak Force headed into the bush rather than surrender.
An attack on two guerilla units - supported by air - forced them to retreat in China. Having learned how to turn off industry that AI has created in damaged form, China is in a logistic building mode just now. We will engage one guerilla position tomorrow - and move air to where it can support attacks. We will focus on rail LOC - as usual.
Kappa Kappa fell to an airborne SNLF assault.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick returns to active play
18 December 1941
Japanese troops landed at Brunei without major damage.
Japanese ships at Laoag ran into mines but were not damaged. Same at Takaol, formosa.
USN Submarine Sargo attake at Lunga, without impact. A Japanese ASW TF engaged, also without effect.
Adm Tanaka's surface action group bombarded Rabaul, with moderate effect.
Naval troops landed at Buin.
USS Swordfish was damaged by a strong ASW attack near Takao.
A composite air strike on Wuchow (C China) caused 57 and destroyed 1 P-40
The daily raid on Rangoon destroyed cost 5 Buffalos killed. The one Ki-43 lost was to AA - not air iar combat.
28 Nells hit PM - causing 28 runway hits and slight other damage. No aircraft were encountered.
US Swordfish was hit twice by ASW ships at Takao.
The Hopei Militia Regiment stood up to another day of fighting with a whole division - as usual.
Another ground attack at Rabaul failed to capture it.
Many air strikes on both sides were combat ineffective.
Japanese troops landed at Brunei without major damage.
Japanese ships at Laoag ran into mines but were not damaged. Same at Takaol, formosa.
USN Submarine Sargo attake at Lunga, without impact. A Japanese ASW TF engaged, also without effect.
Adm Tanaka's surface action group bombarded Rabaul, with moderate effect.
Naval troops landed at Buin.
USS Swordfish was damaged by a strong ASW attack near Takao.
A composite air strike on Wuchow (C China) caused 57 and destroyed 1 P-40
The daily raid on Rangoon destroyed cost 5 Buffalos killed. The one Ki-43 lost was to AA - not air iar combat.
28 Nells hit PM - causing 28 runway hits and slight other damage. No aircraft were encountered.
US Swordfish was hit twice by ASW ships at Takao.
The Hopei Militia Regiment stood up to another day of fighting with a whole division - as usual.
Another ground attack at Rabaul failed to capture it.
Many air strikes on both sides were combat ineffective.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick returns to active play
After orders comments:
Poly uses submarines and mines - sub laid no doubt - aggressively and deep behind enemy lines. These are very disruptive for
a conservative player (who avoids them as I do) and no doubt would cause significant attrition for a cavalier player (who didn't
avoid them). His lack of high hit reports is more because I stay out of their way than because he isn't trying.
The Brigade that took Brunei will move on to Sinkawang and Pontianak - and all the units at Sarawak will plan for Balikpapan. The TFs at or near Brunei and Miri and Kuching will combine to conquer the rest of Borneo - none are significantly damaged.
Tomorrow will include the first attack on Clark field by land - 48th Division having entered the hex from Balinta Pass.
Three units will engage guerilla units in China -- and a full scale (corps) assault will start the drive on the Rail line West from Shanghai.
Kiddo Butai is approaching Truk - is almost completely rearmed - three squadrons of Vals transferred ashore to rebuild - and hunt the one submarine in the area.
A six ship surface task group is spotted at LAE - why is a mystery - but a heavy TF is at Kuching - and KB not far away - so it better run. Maybe he wanted to rescue the militia - the New Guinea Volunteer Regiment - which is at Finischafen.
Poly uses submarines and mines - sub laid no doubt - aggressively and deep behind enemy lines. These are very disruptive for
a conservative player (who avoids them as I do) and no doubt would cause significant attrition for a cavalier player (who didn't
avoid them). His lack of high hit reports is more because I stay out of their way than because he isn't trying.
The Brigade that took Brunei will move on to Sinkawang and Pontianak - and all the units at Sarawak will plan for Balikpapan. The TFs at or near Brunei and Miri and Kuching will combine to conquer the rest of Borneo - none are significantly damaged.
Tomorrow will include the first attack on Clark field by land - 48th Division having entered the hex from Balinta Pass.
Three units will engage guerilla units in China -- and a full scale (corps) assault will start the drive on the Rail line West from Shanghai.
Kiddo Butai is approaching Truk - is almost completely rearmed - three squadrons of Vals transferred ashore to rebuild - and hunt the one submarine in the area.
A six ship surface task group is spotted at LAE - why is a mystery - but a heavy TF is at Kuching - and KB not far away - so it better run. Maybe he wanted to rescue the militia - the New Guinea Volunteer Regiment - which is at Finischafen.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - Polynick returns to active play
19 December 1941
Somehow Poly managed to lay mines at San Fernando - and they were detected by Japanese destroyers. A mineclearing TF at Takao did mor clearing - but also took a mine hit.
SS Taugog was detected by DD Kisaragi at Kwajalein - but not successfully attacked.
An SNLF (minus one disabled support squad) landed at Pahkoi - the only remaining ROC port in the Gulf of Tonkin. It shuts down supply generation there - and overland assault units are coming down the trail for an assault in a few days. Air units already are pounding the field army and guerilla regiment there - the latter already weakened by two battles.
SS S-39 took a pot shot at an ASW group hunting it - but missed.
A fairly large air strike on an "air base" at Wuchow did lots of damage - but found no aircraft in the sky or on the ground.
The daily sweep of Singapore scored 28 kills on Buffalos for 2 Zeros lost. This was a long battle - enemy morale was high and they didn't run - but probably that will now change.
Land based Kates and seaplanes based on Saipan tried to hit a tanker in port on Guam - but only hit the port. The tanker may not be in good enough shape to run. Troops on Guam are no longer disrupted - so we will try to take the place again tomorrow. The force is modest - the outcome is certain and there is no need to be hasty.
ROCAF made two strikes on IJA land units. One was modestly effective (17 casualties) - the other not. Three more attacks on 35th B Pack division included one ineffective, one with 8 casualties and one with 9 casualties - at a cost of 1 B-10 lost (presumably due to AA fire). He is coming in too high to be effective. JAAF made 5 attacks - all on guerilla regiments about to be attacked on the ground - and all effective.
For reasons unclear 7 Claudes attacked the 200th US AA regiment - and one was shot down. This presumably was an uncoordinated attack.
B-17s out of Australia hit a weak airborne element at Kappa Kappa - causing 16 casualties.
Four Allied anti naval air strikes were combat ineffective. A Japanese attack on a river tanker in Burma scored 1 torpedo hit. A fifth Allied anti naval air strike at Kota Bahru lost 4 Vincents for no hits. A second Japanese attack on river tankers hit 3 of 3 with torpedoes - operating out of Bangkok.
IJA 48th Division (reinforced) attacked Angelus City/Clark AFB - and took it. It was weakly defended by 91st Division Philippine Army (reinforced) - and when it fell over 12,000 tons of supplies were captured. In Malaya at Kota Bahru such supplies were called "Churchill Supplies" IRL - here we call them "MacArthur supplies". Poly is aggressive at sea but not on land: you can stop the IJA on Luzon - but not with Philippine Army troops alone. He also failed to defend the mountains. We will build fortifications at Linguyan and Clark - let 48th recover in a malaria free hex - and build up air power at Baguio City - before trying to reduce Manila. We will let units on Bataan rot in the disease infested jungles until after that. We will leave Maubon Bay enemy - so troops in Manila can retreat - instead of fighting to the death where they have a supply stock.
An IJA attack on the RR west from Shanghai - 2:1 odds in fact - was rated at 0:1 for mysterious reasons - and suffered about 800 casualties (for 400 inflicted). But their supply state must be getting bad - so we will recover and repeat in two days. I want the rail line to Central China.
One of the engaged guerilla regiments was forced to retreat out of our LOC.
Taiping Malaya fell - a foregone conclusion since it was not defended. We have a problem in the center - we ran South fast - and advance elements of 5th division are not cut off - so we are ganging up on the brigade that dared to do that - tanks - artillery - infantry - engineers - air power. A battle in the center hex at the bottom of he pennensula tomorrow.
The naval party at Shortland yesterday took Buin today, having reembarked on its ship.
Somehow Poly managed to lay mines at San Fernando - and they were detected by Japanese destroyers. A mineclearing TF at Takao did mor clearing - but also took a mine hit.
SS Taugog was detected by DD Kisaragi at Kwajalein - but not successfully attacked.
An SNLF (minus one disabled support squad) landed at Pahkoi - the only remaining ROC port in the Gulf of Tonkin. It shuts down supply generation there - and overland assault units are coming down the trail for an assault in a few days. Air units already are pounding the field army and guerilla regiment there - the latter already weakened by two battles.
SS S-39 took a pot shot at an ASW group hunting it - but missed.
A fairly large air strike on an "air base" at Wuchow did lots of damage - but found no aircraft in the sky or on the ground.
The daily sweep of Singapore scored 28 kills on Buffalos for 2 Zeros lost. This was a long battle - enemy morale was high and they didn't run - but probably that will now change.
Land based Kates and seaplanes based on Saipan tried to hit a tanker in port on Guam - but only hit the port. The tanker may not be in good enough shape to run. Troops on Guam are no longer disrupted - so we will try to take the place again tomorrow. The force is modest - the outcome is certain and there is no need to be hasty.
ROCAF made two strikes on IJA land units. One was modestly effective (17 casualties) - the other not. Three more attacks on 35th B Pack division included one ineffective, one with 8 casualties and one with 9 casualties - at a cost of 1 B-10 lost (presumably due to AA fire). He is coming in too high to be effective. JAAF made 5 attacks - all on guerilla regiments about to be attacked on the ground - and all effective.
For reasons unclear 7 Claudes attacked the 200th US AA regiment - and one was shot down. This presumably was an uncoordinated attack.
B-17s out of Australia hit a weak airborne element at Kappa Kappa - causing 16 casualties.
Four Allied anti naval air strikes were combat ineffective. A Japanese attack on a river tanker in Burma scored 1 torpedo hit. A fifth Allied anti naval air strike at Kota Bahru lost 4 Vincents for no hits. A second Japanese attack on river tankers hit 3 of 3 with torpedoes - operating out of Bangkok.
IJA 48th Division (reinforced) attacked Angelus City/Clark AFB - and took it. It was weakly defended by 91st Division Philippine Army (reinforced) - and when it fell over 12,000 tons of supplies were captured. In Malaya at Kota Bahru such supplies were called "Churchill Supplies" IRL - here we call them "MacArthur supplies". Poly is aggressive at sea but not on land: you can stop the IJA on Luzon - but not with Philippine Army troops alone. He also failed to defend the mountains. We will build fortifications at Linguyan and Clark - let 48th recover in a malaria free hex - and build up air power at Baguio City - before trying to reduce Manila. We will let units on Bataan rot in the disease infested jungles until after that. We will leave Maubon Bay enemy - so troops in Manila can retreat - instead of fighting to the death where they have a supply stock.
An IJA attack on the RR west from Shanghai - 2:1 odds in fact - was rated at 0:1 for mysterious reasons - and suffered about 800 casualties (for 400 inflicted). But their supply state must be getting bad - so we will recover and repeat in two days. I want the rail line to Central China.
One of the engaged guerilla regiments was forced to retreat out of our LOC.
Taiping Malaya fell - a foregone conclusion since it was not defended. We have a problem in the center - we ran South fast - and advance elements of 5th division are not cut off - so we are ganging up on the brigade that dared to do that - tanks - artillery - infantry - engineers - air power. A battle in the center hex at the bottom of he pennensula tomorrow.
The naval party at Shortland yesterday took Buin today, having reembarked on its ship.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - RHS Test 6B - RAO vs Polynick
20 December 1941
The turn began with sub chasers running into mines at Hong Kong and at Legaspi (no damage). As usual, hunting submarines and mines, and re routing to evade both, is a feature of fighting Polynick. The sub chasers at Hong Kong found USS Sargo - and engaged - but didn't hurt it.
6 DD attacked S-40 at Palau - without effect. Allied DMS attacked Ro-63 at PM - also without effect.
I-2 sank an AK at Noumea - using torpedoes and gunfire. Sub Saury attacked at Bako - without effect. I-8 engaged an AK in the Gulf of Carpenteria - hitting it 12 times - mostly with 5.5 inch shells from its unusual twin mounting.
Nagato and Mutsu bombarded Rabaul. Later an SNLF attacked there. It failed to take it, but was not demoralized, so it has a weak defense - and we will both bombard and ground attack again tomorrow. It was a mistake not to send a regiment here to begin with - and another battalion is inbound.
Air bombardment of Guam out of Saipan was almost ineffective - 4 casualties - but a second go caused 31 casualties - and the ground attack failed - again. This is unusual so far into the game.
The ground unit on the LOC in Malaya turned out to be the Imperial Straits Force 2nd Forward Air Station. Air attacks and a general ground attack on it drove it away. A general Allied attack on the lead elements of 5th Division - which had been isolated until that base unit moved - utterly failed to achieve even 1:1 odds - and the Allies suffered accordingly (2 Japanese to 248 Allied).
10 Allied anti naval air strikes of small size all failed. A 7th one hit a loaded AK near Sag Sag (New Britain) inbound to Lae - causing 32 casualties among passengers. Three bombers were lost in these 11 raids. 2 Japanese anti naval strikes in Burmese waters put 3 bombs into 2 ships with no losses.
88 Zeros swept Manila encountering 19 fighters of two types - 9 of which were shot down.
2 DD attacked USS Thresher at Truk without effect. Recon found USS Shark at Cam Rahn Bay - and hit her. Then a large ASW TF hit her 7 times with DC. Presumably she is in trouble.
Several bombardment attacks and also deliberate attacks caused minor casualties on both sides in China. Even an attack at good odds vs a guerilla regiment only caused minor casualties. Most of these attacks had air support. Only one guerilla unit with 323 men retreated.
202 men of the First Raider Brigade took undefended Tavoi Burma.
The turn began with sub chasers running into mines at Hong Kong and at Legaspi (no damage). As usual, hunting submarines and mines, and re routing to evade both, is a feature of fighting Polynick. The sub chasers at Hong Kong found USS Sargo - and engaged - but didn't hurt it.
6 DD attacked S-40 at Palau - without effect. Allied DMS attacked Ro-63 at PM - also without effect.
I-2 sank an AK at Noumea - using torpedoes and gunfire. Sub Saury attacked at Bako - without effect. I-8 engaged an AK in the Gulf of Carpenteria - hitting it 12 times - mostly with 5.5 inch shells from its unusual twin mounting.
Nagato and Mutsu bombarded Rabaul. Later an SNLF attacked there. It failed to take it, but was not demoralized, so it has a weak defense - and we will both bombard and ground attack again tomorrow. It was a mistake not to send a regiment here to begin with - and another battalion is inbound.
Air bombardment of Guam out of Saipan was almost ineffective - 4 casualties - but a second go caused 31 casualties - and the ground attack failed - again. This is unusual so far into the game.
The ground unit on the LOC in Malaya turned out to be the Imperial Straits Force 2nd Forward Air Station. Air attacks and a general ground attack on it drove it away. A general Allied attack on the lead elements of 5th Division - which had been isolated until that base unit moved - utterly failed to achieve even 1:1 odds - and the Allies suffered accordingly (2 Japanese to 248 Allied).
10 Allied anti naval air strikes of small size all failed. A 7th one hit a loaded AK near Sag Sag (New Britain) inbound to Lae - causing 32 casualties among passengers. Three bombers were lost in these 11 raids. 2 Japanese anti naval strikes in Burmese waters put 3 bombs into 2 ships with no losses.
88 Zeros swept Manila encountering 19 fighters of two types - 9 of which were shot down.
2 DD attacked USS Thresher at Truk without effect. Recon found USS Shark at Cam Rahn Bay - and hit her. Then a large ASW TF hit her 7 times with DC. Presumably she is in trouble.
Several bombardment attacks and also deliberate attacks caused minor casualties on both sides in China. Even an attack at good odds vs a guerilla regiment only caused minor casualties. Most of these attacks had air support. Only one guerilla unit with 323 men retreated.
202 men of the First Raider Brigade took undefended Tavoi Burma.
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RE: Remember the Enterprise - RHS Test 6B - RAO vs Polynick
21 December 1941
The night turn began with an ASW attack at PM on Ro-63 by DMS Bunbury - and she was hit. Another one on I-157 near Banka island by PC Bellatreus failed. So did an IJN attack by MSW W17 and W18 on USS Sargo. Unfortunately, so did a large ASW TF of 8 DD and 2 PC units (2 ships each) on Dutch KXIV somewhere at sea. Finally 3 DD on a sub hunting patrol scored five hits - and set afire - KXIII off Indochina. Later in the day Ro-63 put a torpedo into her tormenter at PM.
USS Saury attacked a minesweeping group at Bako - just as the mines were about to be cleared - this port has been non-operational due to mines or subs for a week. She failed to hit anything (or the torpedoes failed) - and the ASW armed craft failed to hit her in turn. USS Searaven shelled a Japanese AK at sea - scoring five gun hits (most of them heavy) and then put a torpedo into her.
Japanese cruiser bombardment of Sinkawang was more successful: 4 aircraft of 3 types were destroyed. This base has been a problem - past tense: we invade tomorrow - and follow on invasion groups are standing up - supported by the light carrier force. A follow up attack killed 3 more planes of 2 types and scored 35 casualties and 42 other hits.
89 Zeros swept Manila, encountering 9 Philippine Air Force P-26 Peashooters - shooting down 3 of them. The rest prudently bugged out.
Desultery bombing out of Saipan on Guam resulted in 4 casualties. The troops there are still too demoralized to attack. The enemy must be running around in the jungle.
Up in Burma the RAF 2nd Forward Air Station - on the road to Ye - was attacked by P-51s already based in Burma - taking 8 casualties. The First Raiding Brigade took Ye in front of it - this unit is now trapped - and will take undefended Moulmein tomorrow. We started flying in regular ground troops today - supplimenting the airlift of ground support - into Tavoy. We are moving many units to Bangkok to airlift - it being faster than waiting for the long jungle march - and there being no shipping route yet. Rangoon is defended - 3 units there - at least one likely to be a combat brigade.
Malaya was split wide open when we took Johore Bahru today - one day after winning the fight for the LOC to it one hex North - Poly writes he "totally underestimated" strength there - but he only faced part of 5th division - well supported. His units are in three pockets - NE and NW of Johore Bahru - and at Singapore. We will eat the NW pocket first - then the KL one - then go for Singapore. We are moving air support forward - ground assaulting Kuantan and air attacking Singapore tomorrow.
Luzon is also in good shape - and we attack at Lucena in the South tomorrow - consolodating in the North tomorrow - before taking on the more difficult problem of Manila. He holds only Bataan - Manila and Maubon Bay on Luzon - well also Lucena but it generates no supplies since we are there too.
7 Allied anti naval air strikes were ineffective - but lost 4 Vincent/Vildebeeste and one Anson aircraft. 9 Nells out of Kuching put 4 250 kg bombs into 2 AKs at Banka Island.
An SNLF attack at Rabaul reduced fortifications to 2 - did NOT demoralize the attackers - in spite of 97 (to 6) casualties. We hit it hard with carrier air tomorrow - and attack again. More troops will land but not attack until the day after - if it does not fall - which it might.
Combat in China was desultery - with some air and ground attacks by both sides but little effect. An attack on a Guerilla regiment with only 162 men in it at 68 to 1 odds caused only 5 casualties - and no retreat. An exception of sorts was Pakhoi - where an SNLF was thrown out by 2 Field Armies and a guerilla unit - a phyrric victory since a whole brigade is 59 of 60 miles toward entering the place. The SNLF was there only to prevent supply generation - but it turned out to have burned a lot more than intended because he attacked. A Yobiki regiment will follow the Brigade into town - and the SNLF will guard their LOC. It cost him 52 casualties and 7 guns to inflict 21 casualties and 1 gun - and I don't know how many supply points - to throw out the SNLF - and it is certain he will still have enemy in town tomorrow when the brigade arrives. I lucked out.
Khorat Thailand was occupied by Japanese troops. Tomorrow we switch over to RTA troops capturing towns - so the IJA troops can fly to Burma.
The night turn began with an ASW attack at PM on Ro-63 by DMS Bunbury - and she was hit. Another one on I-157 near Banka island by PC Bellatreus failed. So did an IJN attack by MSW W17 and W18 on USS Sargo. Unfortunately, so did a large ASW TF of 8 DD and 2 PC units (2 ships each) on Dutch KXIV somewhere at sea. Finally 3 DD on a sub hunting patrol scored five hits - and set afire - KXIII off Indochina. Later in the day Ro-63 put a torpedo into her tormenter at PM.
USS Saury attacked a minesweeping group at Bako - just as the mines were about to be cleared - this port has been non-operational due to mines or subs for a week. She failed to hit anything (or the torpedoes failed) - and the ASW armed craft failed to hit her in turn. USS Searaven shelled a Japanese AK at sea - scoring five gun hits (most of them heavy) and then put a torpedo into her.
Japanese cruiser bombardment of Sinkawang was more successful: 4 aircraft of 3 types were destroyed. This base has been a problem - past tense: we invade tomorrow - and follow on invasion groups are standing up - supported by the light carrier force. A follow up attack killed 3 more planes of 2 types and scored 35 casualties and 42 other hits.
89 Zeros swept Manila, encountering 9 Philippine Air Force P-26 Peashooters - shooting down 3 of them. The rest prudently bugged out.
Desultery bombing out of Saipan on Guam resulted in 4 casualties. The troops there are still too demoralized to attack. The enemy must be running around in the jungle.
Up in Burma the RAF 2nd Forward Air Station - on the road to Ye - was attacked by P-51s already based in Burma - taking 8 casualties. The First Raiding Brigade took Ye in front of it - this unit is now trapped - and will take undefended Moulmein tomorrow. We started flying in regular ground troops today - supplimenting the airlift of ground support - into Tavoy. We are moving many units to Bangkok to airlift - it being faster than waiting for the long jungle march - and there being no shipping route yet. Rangoon is defended - 3 units there - at least one likely to be a combat brigade.
Malaya was split wide open when we took Johore Bahru today - one day after winning the fight for the LOC to it one hex North - Poly writes he "totally underestimated" strength there - but he only faced part of 5th division - well supported. His units are in three pockets - NE and NW of Johore Bahru - and at Singapore. We will eat the NW pocket first - then the KL one - then go for Singapore. We are moving air support forward - ground assaulting Kuantan and air attacking Singapore tomorrow.
Luzon is also in good shape - and we attack at Lucena in the South tomorrow - consolodating in the North tomorrow - before taking on the more difficult problem of Manila. He holds only Bataan - Manila and Maubon Bay on Luzon - well also Lucena but it generates no supplies since we are there too.
7 Allied anti naval air strikes were ineffective - but lost 4 Vincent/Vildebeeste and one Anson aircraft. 9 Nells out of Kuching put 4 250 kg bombs into 2 AKs at Banka Island.
An SNLF attack at Rabaul reduced fortifications to 2 - did NOT demoralize the attackers - in spite of 97 (to 6) casualties. We hit it hard with carrier air tomorrow - and attack again. More troops will land but not attack until the day after - if it does not fall - which it might.
Combat in China was desultery - with some air and ground attacks by both sides but little effect. An attack on a Guerilla regiment with only 162 men in it at 68 to 1 odds caused only 5 casualties - and no retreat. An exception of sorts was Pakhoi - where an SNLF was thrown out by 2 Field Armies and a guerilla unit - a phyrric victory since a whole brigade is 59 of 60 miles toward entering the place. The SNLF was there only to prevent supply generation - but it turned out to have burned a lot more than intended because he attacked. A Yobiki regiment will follow the Brigade into town - and the SNLF will guard their LOC. It cost him 52 casualties and 7 guns to inflict 21 casualties and 1 gun - and I don't know how many supply points - to throw out the SNLF - and it is certain he will still have enemy in town tomorrow when the brigade arrives. I lucked out.
Khorat Thailand was occupied by Japanese troops. Tomorrow we switch over to RTA troops capturing towns - so the IJA troops can fly to Burma.