Shattering the Sword. Cantona2 (a) vs Herbiesan (j)

[Jones944]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

Any thoughts on my strategy to hold onto Wake and Port Blair and more importantly, any advice?
Cheers

I'm loving your AAR (and Herbiesan's opposite one as well), but I'm far too much of a noob to offer any meaningful advice!

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: Jones944

ORIGINAL: cantona2

Any thoughts on my strategy to hold onto Wake and Port Blair and more importantly, any advice?
Cheers

I'm loving your AAR (and Herbiesan's opposite one as well), but I'm far too much of a noob to offer any meaningful advice!

Thanks for the kind words Jones

[cantona2]

Herbies offensive in Burma gathers steam. The Imperial Guards, split into three Regiments, have captured Rangoon and Meiktila. The 16th Indian Brigade has been fighting a rearguard action up the railway to Magwe where the second Burma Brigade is stationed. Mandalay has about 250 AV's and will be defending against a river assault. RAF 221 Group HQ has moved to Myitkyina and from there it will move to Imphal where the main blocking line will be. The 20th Indian Division is marching towards Myitkyina and will reinforce the KGVO Tank Regiment and base forces there. In the air, the Allies have plenty of level bombers that are based both in Burma and India. Recently arriver Hurricane squadrons should also prove a sterner test for the IJAAF.

Elsewhere in the theatre a Japanese commerce raider hit lucky and chanced upon two Dutch minelayers making their escape to Colombo. Though each ship was hit with one shell the damage was insignificant and they will continue to Ceylon. A destroyer squadron has left Perth to patrol the area and the AMC Kanimbla has left Colombo to also try and engage Japanese raiders in the shipping lanes.

Three more Japanese destroyers were hit by dud torpedos and Cagayan was once again bombarded by the battleships of the IJN. Fuel has now begun to arrive in the Suva/Pago-Pago area and the ASW effort here will be stepped up. I lost DD Ralph Talbot last turn to a submarine but the killer group scored some solid hits on the sub.

In China the Cavalry Army will shock attack a Japanese Brigade to the East of Sinyang before wheeling South-West and attempt to cut off the railway into Hankow. An airfield base force is also nearing Sinyang and this will hopefully allow me to base planes there to contest the airspace around Hankow.

[cantona2]

AMC Kanimbla a good fighting ship in CHS and can pack a good punch. Look at the night experience just aft two engagements with the Japs at Merak. Shes already accounted for three patrol boats.

[cantona2]

Herb has conducted a massive redployment of his Divisions in Java to Malyasia. Mersing and Fortress Singapore where the only two toe-holds left and as of two days ago massive Japanese forces have been disembarking at Mersing. Units that had recently been involved in the subjugation of Batavia have been identified. Furthermore at least 1 fleet carrier (Kaga) and 1 CVE have been covering the operation. What few naval bombers i had left at Singapore have been shredded by his CAP. The hammer Herbie is bringing to Singers is indeed huge. Unfortunatley his carrier borne Vals have sunk a Dutch and US submarine in the waters in and around Mersing and Singapore. CVE Honsho has been spotted refuelling in Palembang HMS Trusty is hoping to sink a few fish into her.

[cantona2]

High time for an update or three!

Herb couldnt let the Dauntless squadron at Port Morseby be so after a couple of bombardment runs, in which he lost a DD to a mine hit and a CA also suffered, the base was in desperate need of resupply. A supply task force was built up in Sydney and escorted buy two CL's (Leander and Perth) and two DD's (Voyager and Van Ghent). A squadron of P-40B's was based at PM to provide CAP as it approached. Hitherto Bettys had been bombing the base ineffectually from 25,000 feet but with regular recon from Rabaul the resupply convoy was bound to be spotted. In effect it was. Bettys, escorted by Zeroes, struck as the transport began to unload at Port Moresby. Though the P-40's bagged a couple of Zeroes they could not interdict the torpedo carrying bombers. CL Leander and DD Van Ghent took several torpedo hits and sank, though several bombers succumbed to flak. The transport took one light torpedo hit and was able to deliver its cargo over the next two thundery days. CL Perth and DD Voyager detached on the first night after the attack and headed to Townsville. Despit the loss of ships PM was resupplied and is now firmly in the black with the added reinforcement of a B-25 Mitchell squadron to augment its hitting power. Over the next few days the 11th Australian Brigade will be airlifted from Cairns and the NGVR will hopefully be able to successfully disengage from Buna and block the Kokoda trail.

[cantona2]

In Central China the fast hitting troops of the Chinese Central Army have fought their way into the rear of Japanese positions on the right flank of their Hankow position. The Chinese Cavalry Army has pushed back the 13th Independant Brigade back 120 miles. As such it is now in a position to wheel south-west in order to attack and threaten the supply lines into Hankow. Its moves will be supported by Infantry Corps moving out of Sinyang, while other Infantry units will hold the river line, safeguarding our flank. Movements towards Wuchow and Nangchang are designed as decoy attacks to keep Herbs reserves elsewhere.

[cantona2]

Herb has begun 'gobbling up whats left' (his phrase) in the DEI/SRA area. The hammer is gradually descending on Singapore, recon suggests 21 units at Johore Bahru. Ive air evacced the 111th RAF Base Force, 6th Indian Brigade and 1st Indian HAA Rgt to Port Blair in order to stiffen the garrison there.

He has also started a move along the west coast of Sumatra with fast transports and small NLF units. An air combat TF, centred around the RN carrier Indomitable is steaming from Colombo in the hope of being able to interdict and hit at any of the landings he is sure to make further up the coast.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre:

Sub action is hotting up in the CentPac area. Ive spotted a line of subs that runs across the Suva-Canton Island shipping lane. I have a 6 DD hunter killer group at Pago-Pago and one at Canton Island. So far the score stands at 1 DD lost for one sub and one damaged AP for one damaged sub. Im working very hard to make it as hot as possible for his subs as im planning on defending and keeping both New Caledonia and Fiji. These shipping lanes need to be open for a free flow of supply, fuel and men.

HMS Trusty, that was hoping to have a shot at Hosho at Palembang took a couple of solid hits for her trouble and is now limping her way up to Colombo at a slow pace. His light carrier forces have been spotted steaming East through the Straits of Makassar and had a minor pop at Balikpapan. I think the KB is in dry dock and it will soon appear supporting moves against either PM, Wake Island or CentPac,or two of the three if he splits it up.

In Burma he has got everything South of the Irrawady but Mandaly is up to level 4 forts and he will have to shock attack over the river. I have all psooible bridgehead sites defended and the 20th Indian Divison blocks the road to Imphal. Attacks on the oil at Magwe have begun and i hope to begin a large scale bombing campaign as soon as the weather clears up. The three large aviation regiments are already in place (Calcutta, Asanol and Dacca) and the smaller units are spread all over the map preparing dispersal fields. The 7th AIF is disembarking at Bombay and will act as theatre reserve awaiting the 2nd British Infantry. The 7th Armoured Brigade will aslo go into reserve.

The Aleutians are slowly building up and already two of the islands have operational airfields(Attu and Adak). Both Midway and Wake have recevied base forces to help their infrastructure and the alst remaining useful Dutch units are being evacuated from Sabang into Ceylon and India.

[cantona2]

edit

[cantona2]

Subs patrolling the Solomon Sea had detected a Japanese convoy heading towards Milne Bay. Two distinct groups were identified, a CA heavy warship group and 10 troop transports. The air groups at Port Morseby were alerted and in a morning strike A-24's and B-25's hit the Japanese ships that had no fighters patrolling the airspace. The first wave was a mixed Dauntless and Mitchell raid that failed to hit the cruisers Furutaka and Kako. The second wave peeled off into two groups. 4 Mitchells failed to hit the troop transports but the second wave of 8 A-24's was able to hit each cruiser. HMS Truant, snooping the waters of Milne Bay was attacked and hit by destroyer escorts. Shes now heading rto Sydney for repairs. USN SS Gato is taking up station.

Hudsons flying out of Thursday Isalnd were also able to hit a further Japanese convoy unloading troops and supplies at Madang in New Guinea.

[cantona2]

CV Indomitable will be in position to launch her torpedo planes at the Japanese ships at Benkolen tomorrow. The short legged Sea Hurricanes will provide CAP for the TF along with a flight of Fulmars. The remaining Fulamrs will escort the Albacores to their target tomorrow.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre Japanese troops cross the causeway into Singapore and suffered heavy casualties as a result.

Ground combat at Singapore

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 165920 troops, 718 guns, 123 vehicles, Assault Value = 3277

Defending force 68690 troops, 426 guns, 16 vehicles, Assault Value = 727

Japanese max assault: 2940 - adjusted assault: 767

Allied max defense: 794 - adjusted defense: 949

Japanese assault odds: 0 to 1 (fort level 7)


Japanese ground losses:
4275 casualties reported
Guns lost 90
Vehicles lost 7

Allied ground losses:
3186 casualties reported
Guns lost 58
Vehicles lost 2

The 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps has finished the first part of the cutting off of Hankow. Another Cavalry Corps is heading to reinforce its positions while two Infantry Corps are moving out of Sinyang to assault the Japanese units directly to East of Hankow.

In India, the 7th AIF and 7th Armoured Brigade have unloaded at Bombay and will act as a theatre strategic reserve. An improvement in the weather has also allowed for a bombing campaign against Japanes troops on the Irrawady line, primarily the 33rd Division, the Imperial Guards Division and artillery emplacements. Rangoon now boasts Nells, that hit two tankers in the Indian Ocean returning to Aden. B-17's at Dacca and Calcutta have been ordered to hit Rangoon aerodromes tomorrow in order to disrupt his ops there. This is the first time that Herbs LBA has operated from Rangoon, a little to late to stop my building up of Port Blair. Two more hurricane sqaudrons arrived at Aden and they've been crated and shipped to the subcontinent.

In CENTPAC both Wake and Midway have received a second support unit and both bases are now more than capable of supporting and sustaining offensive operations. In SOPAC, the 2nd Marine Divison has begun disembarking at Suva while the Americal Division is awaiting the arrival of the final transports at Panama to begin its transfer to Noumea.

[cantona2]

The day dawned crisp and clear. The orders were given and 12 Sea Hurricanes took off and began to circle the TF creating a protective shield against any incoming aircraft. Then the Fulamrs detailed with escorting the Albacores took off followed by the clumsy torpedo bombers. The last aircraft to leave the flight deck was a flight of Fulmars from the 800th FAA Squadron that would stay behind to assist the Sea Hurricanes in providing CAP. Walrus float planes from the cruisers Enterprise and Glasgow also joined in the strike.

The two and half hour flight to the target was uneventful and no enemy fighters presented themsleves to interdict the incoming strike. The weather over the target area was perfect, as clear as it was over the carrier. Below them the FAA fliers could see several Japanese warships and transports in Benkolen Bay. On land the smoke from the ensuing struggle could be seen. Yet again no Japanese fighters rose up to challenge the Albacores. One by one they dropped out of the sky and began their approach run. The Japanese destroyer escorts were quick to spot their approach and maneouvered to protect the transports. As the range closed flak bursts began to appear in the blue sky around the closing bombers. Shrapnel pelted the sides of the aircraft but none fell from the sky and soon enough they were within range. Sleek, silver torpedos were dropped into the blue waters and these unerringly flew towards thier targets. Explosion followed explosion as torpedo after torpedo hungrily bit into the sides of the Japanese warships. The Walrus bombers, however, had less luck missing with all their bombs. Once all ordenance had been expended the aircraft headed back to their carrier base.



Day Air attack on TF, near Benkolen at 17,55


Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 12
Albacore x 19
Walrus x 2


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 34, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks later*
APD Patrol Boat No. 33
APD Patrol Boat No. 37
APD Patrol Boat No. 32, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage *sinks later*

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet
2 x Walrus bombing at 2000 feet
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Having met no resistance, a second wave was ordered and as quickly as possible the planes were rearmed and set off again to hit the ships at Benkolen. Once again the Indomitable had suffered no attack and the pilots of the 817th FAA Squadron were hoping that that would be the case in their second mission. Upon arrival at Benkolen they saw the fruits of their previous labour and two destroyer escorts lay burning. They targetted the remaining ships and once again delivered a deadly payload. All planes, except for two heavily damaged ones that were put overboard, returned safely.



Day Air attack on TF, near Benkolen at 17,55


Allied aircraft
Fulmar x 6
Albacore x 16


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
APD Patrol Boat No. 33, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage *sinks later*
APD Patrol Boat No. 35, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet
4 x Albacore launching torpedoes at 200 feet

Once all planes had been collected the Indomitable and her escorts beagn to steam full ahead to the North-West and out of range from any retaliation and then back to Colombo.

[cantona2]

Elsewhere in the theatre:

The B-17 raid on Rangoon had very disappointing results. A CAP of 44 Ki-43's and 18 A6M2's tore into the bombers and damaged all of them, but only shot down one. In return the rear turrent gunner in one B-17 managed to shoot down a Ki-43 that was a bit too eager to claim a kill. Yet, the raid did not achieve its intended result of disrupting air operations in Rangoon, later on in the day, developed recon photographs showed some hits on the runway but little else in terms of damage. I will take advantage of the inclement weather to stand down and repair the planes as well as letting the crews recover as well. This will also mean that all other bombers in CBI will be grounded, a disappointment as once agin they hit his Irrawady line with impunity. Yet, if planes are grounded then so are his.

Milne Bay was once again scene of more fighting. This time, however my bombers did not manage to score any hits and one A-24 was destroyed by the AA of the CA Kako. SS Gato, however, did manage to get a shot at the Aoba, with predictable results!



In China, tactical manoeuvering has cut off supply to a 2 unit stack in the circled hex (see below) and hopefully this will help in the coming assaults that will see attacks from the Cavalry in the rear and infantry coming out of Sinyang. These attacks are all part of the strategy of cutting off Hankow. As can be seen from the screenie, just one supply route (other than air) remains open.

[cantona2]

Game will be taking about a weeks hiatus as im off on holiday. AAR will continue when i returmn. Comments more than welcome!

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

In China, tactical manoeuvering has cut off supply to a 2 unit stack in the circled hex (see below) and hopefully this will help in the coming assaults that will see attacks from the Cavalry in the rear and infantry coming out of Sinyang. These attacks are all part of the strategy of cutting off Hankow. As can be seen from the screenie, just one supply route (other than air) remains open.

Is this mod one of those that has Hankow as a river port and thus able to be resupplied by river convoy?

Alfred

[cantona2]

Alfred hi. We're playing CHS Scen 157 2.08c + Nikmod so ive no idea if Hankow is a river supplied hex or not.
 
 

[cantona2]

[font="times new roman"]Message received by Eastern Fleet HQ at Colombo at 08:30 24th February 1942 from CV Indomitable[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font] 
[font="times new roman"]***CLEARED TARGET AREA***NO AIR ATTACKS AGAINST TASK FORCE***HEADING HOME***LOW ON FUEL***STOP[/font]

[cantona2]

In other news from the theatre:

SS Gato made amends for its dud torpedo hit on the CA Aoba by hitting the AK Tsuyama Maru unloading supplies at Milne Bay. SS Finback, patrolling the waters off Dobodura was spotted by MSW's on ASW duty and will head to Milne Bay with the Gato heading northwards. SS Silversides reported a dud hit on a transport just outside the port facilities at Madang. The IJN's submarines are still in the waters between Suva and Canton Island and ASW assets at both bases have been once again dispatched to clear the sea lanes.

Port Morseby was subjected to a massive air attack from Bettys based at Rabaul and Lae. Escorted by over 40 A6M2's the P-40B's at Port Morseby could not do anything to stop the bombardments. Zeroes shot down 3 P-40's but the base's flak must have put the bomb aimers off as only 6 bombs were reported to habe hit the runway, the jungle around the landing strip however was sat ablaze from the high number of misses. The raid did not stop the aircraft based at Port Morseby from attacking Japanese shipping in the Solomon Sea. B-25's missed shipping at Dobodura while one A-24 delivered a 500lber on a transport at Milne Bay. Im happy for Herb to keep his focus on bombing Port Moresby's airfield as the CV Yorktown is two days out from delivering a similar raid to the one the Indomitable delivered at Benkolen. This time the target are Japanese transports and cruisers at Milne Bay. Once again im hoping for an undetected approach run and that he keeps his Bettys focused on PM. A BB force has just disbanded in Sydney and i have the makings of a decent fleet for Australian waters. The 11th Australian Brigade continues its airlift to Port Morseby.

In Burma a 5 unit stack, at least one division, has crossed the Irrawady to the North of Magwe. The 18th British Division has been ordered to march to Imphal from it lager at Dimapur. The 20th Indian Division defends the road into Imphal and Blenheims at Kohima have been charged with bombing the Japanese forces.

In Borneo Balikpapan fell and the last three Hawks of the Dutch Air Force with them. Other than Tarakan all other Dutch planes are either in Sabang, India or Australia. The ground forces retreated to Samarinda where they will make their last stand.

In China the Central Army continues its maneouvers to the east of Hankow and the surrounded Japanes units east of Sinyang will be the first to be removed. Infantry holding a bridgehead across the river to the East of Honan will assault a Japanese Brigade encroaching upon its positions.