First thing you need to do is force him to keep his CVs in Russia protecting those two bases. Once they get built up enough that he feels he can pull them out, your in trouble.
Second, even though your economic situation has improved, I doubt you have enough Oil in Japan to have your economy run if it is cut off. Thus, keeping your economy running as long as possible is very important, IMO. I would be building up the fighter force over Palembang to make any attack on your Oil there very costly.
Once an economics minister, always an economics minister. [:D]
With my knowledge of your disposition a few weeks ago, I would land at Formosa if I was Dan. This would effectively surround Japan.
Hello readers.
I have gotten several personal emails from people putting me in their thoughts for my Sentencing Hearing tomorrow. I cannot express how much those notes and your support has meant. Just found out from my attorney that I will have to move out of the home for a short time until my Parental Risk Assessment is finished. There have been all sorts o SNAFUs in getting it finished.
This will be very rough for a week to ten days. Hopefully, things will break in our favor when the PRA is done and the Judge can rule in my favor.
I share all this to explain why I haven't done a recent entry and to let those who have been so helpful and supportive know that I have gotten their messages and greatly appreciate it.
Warmly,
John
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
I have emailed Dan that we need to temporarily suspend our game until I can get life straightened out. Things SHOULD be settled within 7-10 days and we can pick up where we have left off.
THANKS again for all the support and I will update as soon as I can.
John
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
[font="times new roman"]Combat Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]February 12-28, 1944[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Overview:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have not done a comprehensive region-by-region update of the Japanese Empire in ages so I have decided to do exactly that with this AAR update. It is my intention to narrate events in each theatre, state major forces in the theatre, and plans for the future.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The action is centering around Sumatra and Malaya. I have concentrated nearly the entire Japanese Fleet there and have given battle to the British Eastern Fleet. There have been good results for the effort but things hang in the balance.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Dan gets a massive convoy through the Pacific and he is now free to do anything he wants at Sakhalin. I couldn’t give battle because the Fleet would have been lost for no real chance of success. The next Allied attack in the Pacific will meet strictly LBA and ground units. With this being the reality, I have moved troops to reinforce Okinawa and Formosa. Neither target will be easy for the Americans to take.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]When this event appears to be happening I will initiate the Divine Wind with everything I can…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]It should be simply stated that the war is already over. When Dan gets B-29s he can place them at Iwo Jima and Sakhalin and pound my industry into dust. Conversely, if I lose much more of Sumatra/Malaya, my major resource centers will be in deep trouble. I’ve opted to fight for the resource centers…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]North Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I still hold Dutch Harbor, Umnak, Kodiak, Amchitka, and Attu. There are minimal ground forces present. I still fly recon out of these bases to watch Allied convoys but that is about it. There are about 20-30 Transports at Dutch Harbor ferrying a Brigade to Amchatka where it is then flown to Paramushiro Jima.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]These bases will fall if Dan wants them. Once that Brigade is flown out then I will shift to Base Forces and Aviation units.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have strong garrisons at Wake, Marcus, the Marianas, and Kwajalein. These bases are still decently supplied I can move aircraft between them without issue. There are aerial recon units at Wake and Marcus plus a few bombers.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The 20th Infantry Division at Kwajalein has begun prepping for an invasion of Rarotonga.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I am gathering shipping at that base for the move southwards.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]South Pacific[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Over the last 4-6 weeks I have been moving supplies and fuel to Truk, Rabaul, Lunga and Suva. Dan has initiated a number of small—CHEAP—landings in this area and I have moved by 4 CVE into the area to cause some chaos. Traveling with the CVEs is 1 CA, 2 CL, and 5 DD. A small STF of 1 CL and 5 DD has arrived at Rabaul and is now headed to Noumea.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Dan landed at Shortlands (2/12), Buin (2/16), and Espiritu Santo (2/08). He took the first two bases because nothing was defending them. ES had enough troops to hold off the Allied attack. I moved 2 Daitai of Betty 2 and a Daitai of Frances into the area and they raised a little Hell. As that occurred my CVEs moved into the area and added to the excitement. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I pick-up troops and move them onto each target. I recapture Shortlands (2/17), Buin (2/19), and resistance ends at ES (2/19). I take a total of 2,800 POW from the 40th Infantry Division and about 600 POW from a Tank Battalion. While this is happening I manage to sink about 10 AK/AP and damage another 8-10 ships during the fighting.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My CVEs are moving SW from Suva right now hunting Allied shipping that departed from Rarotonga. The CVEs carry about 120 planes of very good quality pilots who can do some good work if given the opportunity. This force will support the 20th Inf Division when it lands at Rarotonga.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Dan reinforced his little garrison there with an Engineer unit. I have 1 Daitai of Betty 2 bombing the AF and another Daitai of Frances set to Naval Attack operating from the Society Islands. Since I am keeping the Forts from being built by my AF attacks, I HOPE to take the island back, force the surrender of about 6,000 US Troops and then retire the 20th ID back to Kwajalein. Don’t know if it will work by WHY NOT![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Australia[/font] [font="times new roman"]Dan continues a relentless drive pushing the Japanese towards the NW Coast. Currently I hold Tennant Creek but have lost Perth and all the cities in western Australia. I was greatly stressed because the 56th Brigade was hung up one hex SE of Tennant Creek and I feared that it would be cutoff by the Aussies retaking Tennant Creek. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Thankfully, the Brigade made it to Tennant Creek so I could pull my troops out. I had ordered all units out about February 15th with the exception the 10th and 18th (??) Infantry Divisions. There are nearly 40 Aussie units pursuing me and I am RUNNING to Darwin as fast as possible.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]As quickly as troops reach Darwin they are being lifted off and sent to Amboina, Lautem, Koepang, Dili Dili, and Kendari. Engineers have been digging in each location since November 1943 and Forts are in very good shape. My last convoys from Perth delivered 20,000 supply to Koepang and 15,000 supply to Lautem. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]I’ve ordered more supplies and some minor units (Con Bat and small Base Force) from Okinawa and Formosa to strengthen my lines by landing at Makassar, Bali, Menado, and Balikpapan. Prior Proper Planning is the rule-of-thumb here. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Combat units from Australia will be divided in the following manner:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Amboina—56th Inf Brigade, 2 SNLF, an Artillery Regiment, and an Engineering Regiment.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. Lautem—an Infantry Division and an Artillery Regiment [/font]
[font="times new roman"]3. Koepang—An Infantry Division and an Artillery Regiment[/font]
[font="times new roman"]4. Dili-Dili—Army HQ and several minor units[/font]
[font="times new roman"]5. Kendari—A new Infantry Brigade from Japan, an Artillery Regiment, and an Aviation Regiment.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Aerial Units: [/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Tennant Creek—48 Army Fighters and 63 Helens[/font] [font="times new roman"]2. Amboina—3 full Sentai (108 planes) of Army Fighters and 40 CV Torpedo Bombers training on a lost Allied ground unit. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malaya/Sumatra/Indochina[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The situation here is grave for the Japanese. I’ll recap by area:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]1. Hanoi has fallen to the Chinese Hordes. I have 100,000 troops trapped at Haiphong where they have managed to hold off nearly 3 times their number. Dan isn’t attacking the AF so I have managed to fly out (using about 60 Transports) significant portions of all the units there. The road south from Hanoi is being held by 3 beat-up Inf Div and an Artillery Regiment. Engineers are digging in at each of the Vietnamese towns going south to Saigon.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]2. All of eastern Sumatra from Sabang to Bankha is gone. Dan is moving troops around but there is no road from here to Palembang so it is a dead-end for the Allies.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]3. The Allies landed at Padang near the start of the month and took this town. They have it but I have managed to take control of the air and have been hitting the base with LBA every few days. I transferred two full strength Infantry Brigades to Benkolen and linked them up to another 6 units I pulled from Perth when I evacuated it 8 weeks ago. An Army HQ is here and there are the 2 Inf Brig, an Armored Regiment, and several smaller Infantry units. These troops are advancing along the western coast of Sumatra.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]4. The Invasion of Malacca—the Allies land here on February 24th. I will wager that Dan didn’t have his troops prepped for here because they have no offensive punch. When he began landing I was certain that the base would fall immediately because I only had an AS of about 125 and Forts were only at ONE! Luckily I had nearly 800 AS of strength at Kuala Lumpur. Those troops got to Malacca on the 25th! Their timely arrival enabled me to barely hold the town. More troops have arrived in the following 4 days and I now have enough to—hopefully—hold the city. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I say this due to the massive effort put forth by Japanese LBA and Carrier Aviation as well as the damaged BB Yamato. The 24th to 28th sees a massive aerial struggle over the area as repeated waves of Japanese Fighters and Bombers fight to attack the massed Allied Task Forces. In the middle of that is a BRILLIANT attack by my STF! I’ll detail each day:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Febraury 24th[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A total of 3 Japanese Strikes hit the Allied Fleet: 230 Fighters, 60 Betty/Frances, 65 Dive Bombers, and 92 Torpedo Bombers fight it out with an Allied CAP of 70+ Fighters. At the end of the day the Japanese lose a staggering 121 F, 44 DB, 64 TB, and 6 Betty/Frances in exchange for a respectable 77 Allied Fighters.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The bombers do get through each strike and hit the following ships:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Exeter 4 B—1 TT[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL Kenya 2 TT[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL DeRuyter 3 B[/font]
[font="times new roman"]2 DD are hit[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 AP—2 AK[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]It is a costly day but it sets up a major victory for the 25th. Adm. Tanaka Raizo ordered anchors lifted for BB Yamato, 3 CA, 1 CL, 9 DD to sortie for Malacca at full speed…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]February 25th[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The damage done to the Allied STF leads the British to withdraw their STF to Bankha. The transports at Malacca are totally exposed for the Japanese attack! Tanaka’s TF engages two of the Allied Invasion Forces and do massive damage. It becomes a 1944 version of the Battle of Balikpapan. Facing minor opposition the Japanese drive Allied shipping from the beaches and manage to sink: DDs Napier and Vendetta, a MSW, an AP, and 9 AK while inflicting damage on at least 11 more AP/AK. Nearly 1,100 Allied soldiers are killed during the attack. With no damage done to his force, Tanaka returns to Singapore to reprovision.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japanese planes elect to attack the remaining Allied Surface ships at Bankha. A force of only 25 Allied Fighters defend these ships as the Japanese attack with 140 F, 59 Betty/Frances, 88 TB, 36 DB! When the attack waves leave, they see the following sight:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BC Renown SUNK after 8 TT hits![/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA Cornwall 2 TT[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CL Enterprise 2 TT[/font]
[font="times new roman"]3 DD Damaged[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Naturally about 60 Japanese planes attacked Renown AFTER she sank! If they had diverted the victory would have even been better. Oh, well…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]While that force struck from Singapore, bombers from Palembang went after the transports forced away from Malacaa by Tanaka’s attack. Another 2 MSW, 2 AP, and 6 AK are hit by the bombers.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Total aerial losses for the day are: 59 F, 6 Betty/Frances, and 4 TB. The Allies lose 33 Fighters.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Allied Force launches a Deliberate Attack and NEARLY get a 2-1 (737 to 1471). Instead it falls as a 1-1 and I HOLD the town. Reinforcements are moving to this location as fast as they can march.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Nagasaki, Japan A freshly repaired STF of BB Ise/Hyuga, 1 CA, 2 CL, and 8 DD depart for Singapore. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]February 26th[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The landings at Malacca are done as the Invasion TFs move back to Bankha. Continuing the attack, four separate waves of Japanese planes hit Bankha. Allied CAP is around 40 Fighters with each attack. By the end of the day, the Japanese lose 126 Fighters and 23 TB in exchange for 46 Allied Fighters. While this brawl occurs, numerous bombers attack the TF. A total of 1 MSW, 3 AP, and 11 AK are hit.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Allies try another Deliberate Attack and are stomped with a 0-1 result (1509—583). The town holds again.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]From AF throughout China 400 Japanese Fighters and 200 Helens/Betty fly to Formosa to change out their planes and then head for Singapore and Palembang.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Having lost 50% of their strength, the Japanese CV raise anchors at Singapore and retire towards Soerabaja for fuel and planes replacements. 6 CV and 6 CVL are escorted with a minimal complement of 8 DD. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Admiral Tanaka weighs anchor for a bombardment attack. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]February 27th[/font] [font="times new roman"]No Allied opposition materializes as BB Yamato, 3 CA, 1 CL, and 9 DD bombard Allied positions at Malacca. Though disappointing, the bombardment yields 1,372 Casualties and 39 Guns. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A day of respite as I rotate my Fighters and Bombers between Palembang, Singapore, Batavia, and Soerabaja.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]February 28th[/font] [font="times new roman"]With no CAP over Malacca, nearly 200 LB Bombers hit Allied positions causing over 400 casualties. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB Warspite is spotted at Bankha.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tanaka raises anchor to hit the beachhead again though this time two TF are sent. BB Yamato, 3 CA, 1 CL, 7 DD are to bombard and 3 CA, 2 CL, and 8 DD sweep ahead as escorts…[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"]As the clock strikes midnight and we move into March 1944, the Allies are socked with a 2600 Political Point penalty for not withdrawing a CV and 2 DD. That has got to hurt…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malacca Situation:[/font]
[font="times new roman"]The forces at Malacca as of February 28th are:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies: 3 China Corps, 5 Art Regiments, 1 Indian Div, 1 Indian TK Brigade, the 2nd and 18th UK Inf Div, and 33rd Corps HQ. Not all of these units were fully unloaded so there are fragments. My cursor tells me that there are about 50,000 troops ashore.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Japan: 2 Inf Div, 3 Regiments/Brigades, 2 Engineering Reg, 1 Aviation Reg, and 2 small BF. I have another Inf Div, 2 Brigades, 1 TK Reg, and 4 Engineering units due to arrive over the next day or two. My Fort level is zero but is climbing at a rate of 8-10% per day. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I am quietly moving troops back into southern China. Dan has moved so damned many Chinese troops into Hanoi/Haiphong, Sumatra, and Malaya; I think I may try a serious offensive down here. I am not too excited at the prospects but will see what happens.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]As stated, I pull about 40% of the aircraft based in China training missions to Formosa. There are still about 500 Fighters and 200 Bombers in theatre. I have to be careful since Dan has started basing fighters in China to slow my training program. With him losing so many fighters in the actions of the last week I hope to see some of these units move back to Burma and Sumatra.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Home Islands[/font] [font="times new roman"]I have a bunch of reinforcements arriving right now and feel pretty good about troops strength within Japan. After his taking of Hokkaido and Sakhalin, I feared another attack on the mainland because I was quite vulnerable. With Hokkaido back in my hands, I have dispersed the troops around Japan for protective measure and everything looks pretty good. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have about 700 Fighters flying CAP throughout the Home Isles. There are periodic raids from Iwo Jima and Sakhalin by Liberators but I tend to shot a decent number down. This is good but I know it won’t last when the B-29s arrive.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]The Home Islands landed a huge convoy last month of nearly 400,000 oil and 150,000 resources. An additional convoy of nearly the same amounts is getting ready to sortie from Brunei in about 4-5 days.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Summation[/font]
[font="times new roman"]While things are grim and will only get worse, I am happy to know that at this late juncture I am still inflicting massed harm on the Allied Fleet. I copied from my Industrial Report and current sinkings list for last month and game-to-date:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ships Sunk[/font] [font="times new roman"]Japan 738—7,671 VP (up 739)—I lost 69 ships and 13 barges during February. For the most part, the losses remain in are of support shipping. These were my losses: 20 AK, 18 AP, 9 MSW, 9 PC, 1 AR, 2 PT, 6 DD, CV Katsuragi and 3 SS. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Major Japanese Vessels Sunk to Date---CV Junyo, Hiyo, Hiryu, and Katsuragi, BB Fuso, Yamashiro, Mutsu, Nagato, and Musashi, BC Kirishima and Haruna, 5 CA , 12 CL, 94 DD, and 39 SS.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies 1,174---13,525 VP (up 828)---Dan lost 71 ships for the month of February. Exact Losses are: 48 AK, 7 AP, 4 MSW, 1 PG, 1 TK, 1 LCT, 5 DD, 3 SS, and BC Renown[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Major Allied Vessels Sunk---CVs Enterprise, Lexington, Hornet, Wasp and Intrepid, CVL Langley, 5 CVE, BBs Colorado, West Virginia, Idaho, Tennessee, Arizona, Prince of Wales, Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Mississippi, BC Renown, 15 CA, 8 CL, 71 DD, and 44 SS.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japanese Navy[/font]
[font="times new roman"]CV—My Carriers are operational but I just took heavy losses in the actions around Singapore. There are about 75 Zeros and 150 TB/DB in Japan that are moving south to re-equip my carriers.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I have the following CVs around Java: Shokaku, Zuikaku, Taiho, Amagi, Kaga, and Akagi. CVLs/CVE there are: Ryuho, Ryujo, Shoho, Zuiho, Chitose, and Hosho. There are 4 CVEs operating southwest of Suva. CV Unryu is nearly repaired at Nagasaki and will head SE towards Suva. CV Soryu is heavily damaged but being repaired in Kyoto.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]I should note that 3 CV and a CVL will be finished in Tokyo about July 1st.[/font]
[font="times new roman"][/font]
[font="times new roman"]BB--My Battlefleet has been mauled and I have only a few operational BBs. Ise/Hyuga are fully repaired while Yamato is operating against the British with SYS Dam of 25. My remaining BC are all under serious repair in the Home Islands.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]CA/CL—I have a decent number of cruisers operational at the moment. The majority are around Singapore. I have a CA and 3 CL with my CVEs. There are 3 CA and 2 CL under repair in the Home Islands.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DD—I’ve taken crippling losses in DDs. Since I have concentrated the Fleet, the DD situation isn’t too bad. There are about 25 DD around Singapore and 10 DD with the CVEs. About 12-15 DD are being repaired in the Home Islands. I will have about 8-10 new DDs finished within the next 1-2 months.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]SS—Nearly 2/3 of my SS are being repaired at Tokyo and/or Sendai. I’ve ordered about half-a-dozen to Singapore with a like amount near Suva. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]AK/AK/TK/AO—My merchant fleet has taken significant losses in the last several months but I still have plenty of lift and carrying capacity for the moment. I currently have a large amount of AK/TK/AO moving fuel and supplies from Japan to the DEI, Truk, Rabaul, and Suva. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]THAT is the whole story. Does anyone have any questions? I will welcome any advice too…[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
[font="times new roman"]March 1, 1944 [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Victory Points and Economic Summary[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Victory Points:[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Score[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Japan 51,334 (Up 1,377 Points)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies 38,598 (Up 3,346 Points)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]It was a wild month with the Allies launching assaults through Sumatra and his recent landing at Malacca, Malaya. The Allies have now taken all of Australia except the NW Coast. Dan staged several small invasions of Japanese held islands in the South/SE Pacific where I have reclaimed all of them.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A massive concentration of Japanese naval power is now in the area of Sumatra where the fur has been flying! The battles have remained going in favor of the Allies but the Japanese do manage to launch continuous counter-punches that have scored a number of Allied sinkings[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ships Sunk[/font] [font="times new roman"]Japan 738—7,671 VP (up 739)—I lost 69 ships and 13 barges during February. For the most part, the losses remain in are of support shipping. These were my losses: 20 AK, 18 AP, 9 MSW, 9 PC, 1 AR, 2 PT, 6 DD, CV Katsuragi and 3 SS. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Major Japanese Vessels Sunk to Date---CV Junyo, Hiyo, Hiryu, and Katsuragi, BB Fuso, Yamashiro, Mutsu, Nagato, and Musashi, BC Kirishima and Haruna, 5 CA , 12 CL, 94 DD, and 39 SS.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Allies 1,174---13,525 VP (up 828)---Dan lost 71 ships for the month of February. Exact Losses are: 48 AK, 7 AP, 4 MSW, 1 PG, 1 TK, 1 LCT, 5 DD, 3 SS, and BC Renown[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Major Allied Vessels Sunk---CVs Enterprise, Lexington, Hornet, Wasp and Intrepid, CVL Langley, 5 CVE, BBs Colorado, West Virginia, Idaho, Tennessee, Arizona, Prince of Wales, Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Mississippi, BC Renown, 15 CA, 8 CL, 71 DD, and 44 SS.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Manchukuo Garrison---9,029---Down 434---(8,000 Needed)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Political Points---1,966[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Units Transferred: [/font]
[font="times new roman"]62nd Infantry Division China Command to 4th Fleet (sent to Formosa)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Industrial Report[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Supply 1,969,586[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Fuel 948,416[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Manpower 747 (1,361,174)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Heavy Industry 14,584 (308,126)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Resources 16,751 (2,183,613)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oil 2,379 (519,732)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Nearly everything but Oil dropped this month. My supply decreased by 350,000, fuel down 50,000, manpower down 20,000, my stockpiled HI stayed the same, resources dropped some, and fuel rose 120,000. Losing the rest of Australia and the Sumatra towns account for most of this.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Shipyards[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Naval 1,366 (13) [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Merchant 981 (6)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Repair 1,453[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font] [font="times new roman"]Carriers[/i] All CVs are accelerated.[/i][/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kasagi (296 Days)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aso (339 Days)[/font] [font="times new roman"]Ikoma (346 Days) [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ibuki (301 Days)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]All DDs under 150 days are accelerated.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Weapons[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Armament 575 (13,568)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Vehicles 179 (14,850)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Armaments are dropping quickly. I have reactivated all my armament plants but have shutoff some of my vehicles.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aircraft[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engines 2,187[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Assembly 1,774+(324-Rd)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A good month for the Japanese: Engines rose 28, Assembly up 156, and Research up 47.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Engine Production[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Mitsubishi 636(64)—Need 653—1,358 in Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Nakajima 1,201(54)—Need 1,283---1,322 in Pool[/font] [font="times new roman"]Kawasaki 260---Need 283---195 in Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Aichi 90(30)---Need 98---154 in Pool[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I ordered a small increase in engines to slow down my use of stockpiled engines. Will add some to the Kawasaki production this month.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Plane Production[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Fighters Planes/Month (in Pool)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M2 0 (115)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M3 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M3a 0 (158)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oscar 0 (43)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oscar IIa 0 (29)[/font] [font="times new roman"]Tojo 25 (0) [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tony 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Jack 184 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M5c 87 (209) [/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M5 305 (240)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oscar III 44 (33)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Ki-61 Tony 283 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]N1K1 George 75 (38)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Frank 1a 135-Rd (08/44)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Frank 1c 44-Rd (12/44)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]A6M8 9-Rd (06/45)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]My Fighters are a MESS! Naval fighters are reasonably OK because I am producing three main models: Jacks (need to expand), A6M5 (steady), and George (up 25 over last month). The Army side is the problem. I am bringing Tojo back online (up 17) and expanding Ki-61 Tony (up 25) while the research into Frank continues to expand. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Bombers[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Betty 0 (290)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Betty 2 40 (24)[/font] [font="times new roman"]Frances 126 (58)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sally 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Helen 122 (17)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Peggy 101-Rd (8/44) TWO months early.[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Lily 40 (8)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Nick-a 20 (14)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Nick-b 12 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Val 0 (385) [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Kate 0 (140)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Judy 98 (65)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Jill 125 (35)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Grace 2-Rd (6/44)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Betty 2e 21-Rd (10/44)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Frances is now in massive production. I scaled back Betty 2 and am concentrating on Frances. Helen expanded by 30 planes and Peggy is now due two months early. Naval aircraft (DB/TB) are doing OK.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Recon/Float[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Emily 20 (1)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Alf 0 (4)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Pete 0 (100)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Pete A 0 (32)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Rufe 23 (42)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Glen 0 (45)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Dinah 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Irving-R 24 (85)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Irving-S 23 (11)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Jake 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Babs 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Dinah-3 52 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]C6N Myrt 14-Rd (03/44)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I order a restart to Alf and Jake production. I CANNOT keep enough Emilys and Dinah in the air![/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Transports[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tina 8 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Sally 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Topsy 28 (3)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Mavis-L 0 (0)[/font]
[font="times new roman"]Tabby 0 (46)[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Restart Tina and Topsy are expanding. My Transport Planes are falling rapidly due to heavy use and enemy Fighters.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
I've just posted those two updates with the Combat Report and Economy/VP for March 1944. I am still living away from the hosue but have been getting some stuff done and wanted to get my updates posted for those who have been reading this AAR for so long.
Hope these help to bring you up to date!
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Combat Report March 1-2, 1944
I was able to get two turns done with Dan today so I am doing an immediate update.
Malacca
Events continue to swirl around this target:
1st---I bombard the base with BB Yamato, 2 CA, 1 CL, and 5 DD. They do OK with 277 Casualties and 4 Guns destroyed. I am experiencing a crippling fuel shortage at Singapore and have 4 TK unloading (24,000 Fuel) at Kuching right now. I send the Yamato TF there to refuel. Forts rise from 0/10 to 0/23.
2nd--In doing this, Dan brings two convoys over to Malacca from Bankha on the 2nd. Planes rise from Singapore to attack. A total of 36 F, 29 LB TB, and 45 DB swoop into the hex where they fight their way through 34 Allied Fighters. Losses are bad (19 F, 8 LB TB, 14 DB for 6 Allied Fighters) but the majority get through and ATTACK! Thankfully they attack the STF guarding these ships. The attack centers its fury on the Battleship Warspite where it is hit by 3 TT and 2 Bombs. Additionally, CL Danae takes 2 Bombs and is moderately damaged. We exchange ground bombardments doing 90 Casualties EACH. Forts rise from 0/23 to 0/46.
I order a two phase attack from my remaining STF at Singapore.
Malacca Strike Force--3 CA, 1 CL, 8 DD to attack there.
Bankha Strike Force--1 CL and 5 DD to try and surprise the Allied shipping there.
My CVs arrive at Soerabaja, disband, and I begin to rebuild my air groups.
The planes at Palembang are authorized to attack. I have 39 F and 100 Betty/Frances there set to attack at range 7. This goes up to Malacca and no further.
I fly 75 new Jacks (Experience 48 @ 72/27 @ 68) and 81 Betty 2/Frances into Singapore and set their range for 3. Malacca and no further.
The fur SHOULD fly on the 3rd!
Dan's Eastern Fleet woes continue with hitting those two ships. That STF only has 1 CA and 1 CL left to defend his AK/AP. He will probably expect Yamato to come up and I hope he pulls his shipping back. If he doesn't then I should do well...
I expect the Ise/Hyuga TF to arrive at Singapore about March 10th.
Haiphong
Everything goes to Hell in a handbasket here as the Chinese Hordes make a Shock Attack that scores a 10-1 ratio! [X(][X(] I lose the town and 41 Transport planes. Thank God I pulled elements of all the major units there. I will pull the 3 Inf Div and TK Reg in the hex to the west of Haiphong back down to Hue. I cannot stop his assault now...
Rarotonga
I hit this base with 15-20 bombers each day. The 22nd Inf Div finishes loading at Kwajalein and will head for Suva for their assault. Figure an April 10th Assault Date barring changes.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Excellent AAR! I am following your game, particularly since I am also playing Big-B's mod, I am Japan, and it's 3/5/44.
I think your strategic move of the Fleet is a good one. I did the exact same thing figuring that I wasn't strong enough to stop the USN, but was strong enough to stop the RN. It worked, as I effectively destroyed the RN CV force (only to get 3 CV's sunk by the USN afterward, but that's another story).
That is a ton of lost DDs. You probably need those Matsus for frontline duty.
Q-Ball--thanks for the comments. I was desparing that noone jumped on after these massive posts. I am thinking about using my CVs for a massed attack upon the RN CVs but Dan ALWAYS keeps them under LBA. It drives me to drink and I think it is a GAMEY thing to do.
I know that AFB will totally disagree with that comment so save your breath.
Regardless, I am still sinking Allied shipping at a massive rate and claiming big warships. Sinking Renown was GREAT!
I can use every darned DD that gets built, repaired, or raised! [:D][:D]
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Actually I'm a JFB, but I have no problem with LBA LRCAP over some CV's. It's a matter of opinion I guess.
Your navy looks completely the opposite of mine. I am very short on CV's, with only 3 CVs, the 2 Junyos (CVMs?), and 3 CVL's left. I still have 10 BBs though, so I have a quite credible surface force, despite engaging in many surface actions.
IN 1944, I almost wonder if having BB's is better, because anything that flies can just get chewed up by Uber-Cap, but 10 BB's can still ruin the USN's day. You can't Uber-Cap a 18.1 in shell!
Dan continues with his insanity by choosing to ADVANCE his attack onto Johore Bharu! I am ready to drink heavily but since I am now on probation THAT option is gone...
The war has been lost in CBI for six months. It is now a reality...
Attachments
Sumatra33.jpg (174.39 KiB) Viewed 235 times
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
I have asked many times before but WHERE do all these Indian, Chinese, British troops come from. I have lost the entire CBI Theatre to a combined force of nearly 1.25 million enemy troops. This is not being extreme! I have nearly 15 Inf Div fighting a war that is totally lost.
Time to start a serious evacuation. I can pull everything back in Indochina and Burma to Saigon and withdraw through there. I will soon be cutoff in losing Johore Bharu and I guess I will have to withdraw NORTH to Saigon that way because Singapore will fall a few days after Johore Bharu.
Feeling pretty dispirited right now.
I was so proud of holding his attack at Malacca and think I have chance to dirve him into the sea. That is not the reality now...
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
Q-Ball---I KNOW your a JFB and I think you are right in that it is far better to have your Surface Forces then Carrier Forces at this point in the war. I still have 8 CV, 5 CVL, and 5 CVE and they are basically useless against CAP.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
The game continues to be unpredictable in any way, shape or form!
Johore Bharu
The Japanese scratch together a STF of 3 CA, 1 CL, and 8DD. It runs into a STF of CA Sussex, 2 CL, and 11 DD. A brawl ensues where the Japanese lose YET ANOTHER pair of DDs and the Allies lose lose 1 DD, CA Sussex is hit by 2 TT, and 5 more DD take serious damage. I have CA Ashigara and 3 DD disband into Singapore to take care of them. Only Ashigara has any real damage (took a Torp).
I have two ineffective raids hit the area during the day and then SURPRISE my paltry ground troops manage to hold against a Shock Attack! A small miracle considering it was an Aviation Regiment and Parachute Regiment located there. Dan has an Indian Division and Chinese Corps there.
I should have a Mortar Regiment and Engineer Regiment get the Johore Bharu tomorrow. An additional Artillery Regiment and beat-up Infantry Division will arrive the day after that. MAYBE I can hold...
I really need to NOT flail with my Surface Forces so I decide to wait a day before making another sortie to Johore Bharu. BB Yamato and her TF arrive at Singapore on the 5th and the Ise/Hyuga TF arrive on the 6th. Those combined forces SHOULD be able to tackle anything the Brits have left.
OTHER Areas:
1. SE Pacific-My CVEs have sunk a pair of AKs in their foray. They are moving slowly towards Rarotonga and will then head for Suva.
2. US CVs! The American CVs put up an appearance hitting a small convoy leaving Paramushiro Jima. I lose 2 AK/2 AP. The US TF is about 5 hexes due south of PJ.
3. Malacca Forts rise to 0/87%. Should hit 1 tomorrow and be at 2 within a few days days.
4. A convoy departs Brunei for Japan with 150,000 Oil and 80,000 Resources.
Member: Treaty, Reluctant Admiral and Between the Storms Mod Team.
John,
You have asked why the British didnt achieve more succes IRL than they did, but in this GAME, the US have occupied Sakhalin Is and invaded Hokkaido in 1943.
Why didnt they achive more IRL?
WITP is very poor at recreating the effects of land campaigns. it allows the japanese to push through, or sail around Burma and into India without making the player build & maintain the infrastructure required. its assumed that ports will keep working and roads & railways dont need maintenance and that local poulations all love their invaders so troops are not forced to garrison cities (except China).
I have read a lot on the Commonwealth efforts in SE Asia and believe that they did a great job with what they had IRL, and maybe the japanese did better IRL than happens in games, who would have started the Imphal offensive in a game.
Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum
I have asked many times before but WHERE do all these Indian, Chinese, British troops come from. I have lost the entire CBI Theatre to a combined force of nearly 1.25 million enemy troops. This is not being extreme! I have nearly 15 Inf Div fighting a war that is totally lost.
Time to start a serious evacuation. I can pull everything back in Indochina and Burma to Saigon and withdraw through there. I will soon be cutoff in losing Johore Bharu and I guess I will have to withdraw NORTH to Saigon that way because Singapore will fall a few days after Johore Bharu.
Feeling pretty dispirited right now.
I was so proud of holding his attack at Malacca and think I have chance to dirve him into the sea. That is not the reality now...
Part of the answer is Monsoon. For those of you who follow my posts, you know this is a sore subject for me. Combat ops were only possible at best for about six months out of the year in Burma and SE India. It rains from June to September there and takes at least two months to dry out. Both sides could only go on the offensive from December to May. That is why the British weren't able to accomplish more. Even into 1944 and 1945 when Japan was on the defensive, the Brits could only push so far.
I also think the game does not hold up well in continental warfare. I think it does okay with island warfare but the engine just loses it when vast armies square off in open terrain.
"We have met the enemy and they are ours" - Commodore O.H. Perry
Guess thats a two way street. No Japanese invasions of India from June to December in 1942. I'm pretty sure most invasions of India in the game happen during that time.
ORIGINAL: vettim89
Part of the answer is Monsoon. For those of you who follow my posts, you know this is a sore subject for me. Combat ops were only possible at best for about six months out of the year in Burma and SE India. It rains from June to September there and takes at least two months to dry out. Both sides could only go on the offensive from December to May. That is why the British weren't able to accomplish more. Even into 1944 and 1945 when Japan was on the defensive, the Brits could only push so far.
I also think the game does not hold up well in continental warfare. I think it does okay with island warfare but the engine just loses it when vast armies square off in open terrain.
Sir John,
Unless things have changed, you will need to go through most of your troops in Malaya and Sumatra to make sure they are prepping for that particular base or an objective. When I was your Economics Minister, I saw that many of your troops were prepped for bases far from where they were. Don't forget to prep both types of HQ for a particular base. You need all the help those prep levels give you. As the Allies, I always prepped SE Asia HQ for Mandalay even though I had it at Calcutta. It's range was 9 hexes and gave a bonus for defense. There is a good thread on this under the "Must Read Threads" section.
Retired Economics Minister Benoit
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