Hyuga's Odyssey - Xxzard vs. Lockmart

[Xxzard]

Allright, I am excited to start my first AAR (and PBEM) to date, hopefully it will be a good game for both of us!

I am playing as Japan, Lockmart Lawndart as Allies. This will be a closed AAR I suppose, but I don't think I will post anything that should be super-secret classified.

I'll mostly do summaries of the turn, they are much easier to read and I'll try to make it interesting and keep it immersive. I will also post some screens from some other games to add a bit of eye candy.

This is CHS 157, with A2A changes and flak bonuses, no soviet navy, no soviets at all unless activated.

We have agreed on a historical first turn, so neither of us has made changes to starting line up, nor have we changed orders or advanced units forward. That means as much as I would like to, I cannot go for a surprise attack on unexpected locations, but this will make much more sense, and is just more fair.

House rules:
-Some rules against Allied heavies bombing low (although the flak may deter them anyway), 2e's can't go to 4e's, just some reasonable things.
-We have agreed to keep paratrooper operations reasonable
-Japs won't resource bomb in China.

On a sidenote, I received the finished Dec 7th turn on Dec 7th. [:)]

Well here goes!

[Xxzard]

December 7th, 1941.

It is a clear day at Ford Field, with the aircraft parked in symetrical lines stretching across the field near the hangers. Many are just waking up on this typically pleasant Hawaiian sunday. The big ships are raising the flag at their sterns, lying at anchor two by two, almost as if on parade.

A rain of bombs smashes the clear, crisp day, as unidentified aircraft dive to attack while others remain mere dots in the sky, but one thing is sure, their numbers are impossible to combat by the surprised garrison.

First the agile zeros strafe the runway, shooting up the parked US aircraft, but the US gunners although stunned mount a quick defense with every available machine gun. The level bombers strike next, numbering about 120 torpedo bombers carrying 800kg bombs quite capable of piercing the old battlewagons armor.

Many of the ships on Battleship Row are hit by these devastating weapons, and a little down the way the CA New Orleans is reported to have taken a direct hit. The Vals dive in next, smashing heavy bombers and fighters before the pilots even realize they are under attack. Other groups attack other ships simultaneously, further damaging support ships and landing more hits on the battleships' decks. Finally, the last wave of Kates comes in with torpedos slung under the fuselage, and mount a concerted attack on the already damaged battleships. Hits are reported scored on about half of the targets.

Overall, aircraft losses are much as expected, but Nagumo decides to pull the carriers back and not launch another strike, since many aircraft involved in the attack require repairs, and the whereabouts of the US carriers is not certain.

Spotters in the Vals and Kates report the California and Tennessee heavily damaged, each taking numerous bombs and a torpedo each. About half the other battleships are reported to be significantly damaged, with only the Maryland and one other ship escaping heavy damage.
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In the Phillipines, Clark Field is completely surprised and the naval bombers exact a heavy toll on the unprepared airbase. Landings go unnopposed.

Singapore is also surprised but the buffalos go up anyway, although their action is futile, no bombers are shot down on their part. Enemy losses reported as relatively minor.

A dutch sub has some success and torpedos a troop carrier bound for Kota Bharu.

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On wake island, the main troopship takes heavy hits but stays afloat to unload the troops. Against unexpectedly heavy resistance the landing force destroys some enemy fortifications and will launch another concerted attack tomorrow, but they are in a precarious position at the moment.


Reports from the front are filtering in to Imperial High Command and some important decisions will be made over the next few days.

[jeffs]

I recently just started a CHS 157 game as well (as the allies) so I am rather interested in the opening turns
(we are mid feb now)

[Xxzard]

Without the advantages of a turn one speed bonus, I am going to have to think of some other ideas. To some degree the plan will be to launch the standard offensives, and then perhaps launch a few raids/attacks to keep him off balance. The first of there attacks should come within twenty days.[:)] I hope it goes well!

Then, I suppose I will be looking at the overall strategy. I have considered a primarily defensive strategy, or I could go with a more aggressive move, India, Oz, maybe even something more unusual.

I know India is weak, but I am not sure I want to go in there against a more challenging opponent than the AI. On the other hand, playing on this map, Burma is more difficult to send troops into quickly, and if I am not going to fight there I should just bypass to India.

While I have strategized and read about an Australian invasion, I don't think I can pull that off.

So that leaves a general delaying action or I could go with something else entirely. Suggestions?

[jeffs]

You do not want to go deep into Burma.....at least over land....
 
I think you need to take out N. Australia just for defensive purposes...If not, it is easier for him to launch into the DEI from Darwin....

[Xxzard]

I have sent the December 8th turn after some delays and plotting on my part, will probably take a few to get it back since in this game Dec 8th replaced the first turn organizational tasks of Dec 7th

[Xxzard]

Or not... he got the turn back pretty quickly.

Standard invasions are going well, although I moved the ships that should unload at Singora to unload at Kota Bharu so as to better concentrate forces there. Hopefully he won't notice there is a road I can use to divide his forces with. I am hoping since he is new to the CHS map he might miss it, and then I can isolate the forces at georgetown before they have a chance to gather in Singapore. If not, the result will eventually be the same in any case.
Air attacks on multiple airfields were not very successful, although losses were light in any case.

For some reason a sub sunk a lone allied cargo ship cruising between the Maylay peninsula and thailand[&:]
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In the phillipines the landing forces have captured the landing zones with no resistance, but the covering force for the Vigan landings was attacked by a PT boat tf. The attack was a brave move, and the PT's managed to hit 2 DD's with torps, through they were all destroyed in the action. One DD was forced to retire, may survive, but will be out of the war for some time.

The naval bombers launched a port attack on Manila today, hitting only about five ships with torps, but including one sub, the Skipjack, which sunk immediately. At least I won't have to worry about that one.
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Unfortunately, although they had a better than average start, it looks like the men at Wake won't be coming back, and we won't capture Wake for at least a little while longer.

I am working to mobilize my extra divisions in China and in Japan, I want to get them to the front quickly and get the big plan moving.

[Xxzard]

December 9th

Things go well today, (actually a few days ago...lazy me) no surprises, but I do have a few surprises for him in store!

The troops on Wake haven't given in yet, but I would be surprised if they hold on until they can be relieved.

Our troops capture Kota Bharu with 2 divisions after a decision on the 8th to redeploy Singora units to Kota Bharu landing zone. The airfield has been damaged, but cover should be up in a couple days. The divisions will begin marching towards Kuala Lumpor, where they will try to cut off the northern British forces from Singapore. Its something of a footrace.

Force Z has not shown itself, I assume Lockmart pulled it out of the area by now. That seems to be most of what he is doing, recon suggests he has pulled many units back to Manila and Singapore already. Kuantan is already empty, and he is concentrating all forces in Manila. Very well I say, there is little those troops can do anyway.

I am just now getting a couple invasion TF's going, it has taken a few days to load everything, but on the plus side the ships will have a larger escort against a more dangerous foe. There will be a long range airfield attack next turn to try and catch some B-17's on the ground in Mindanao, but I don't have too high hopes for it.[8|]

The South will come under attack soon!

[Xxzard]

On December 10th the Japanese troops on Wake finally give up, but in a significant coup for the Japanese sub force, a Pensacola class CA was hit by two torpedos some three hundred or so miles out of Pearl Harbor.

Tarawa was captured with no resistance, and the next operation in that area has begun. [:)]

In an attempt to destroy a few enemy heavies on the ground, about 20 Nells from Palau flew a long range attack on the airfield at Cagayan. Unfortunately this resulted in only a few hits on an empty runway.

The British aircraft still in Singapore launched a large attack on the ground forces in Malaya, and the runways at Kota Bharu have been damaged. [:(] Its a long way to fly long range cap.

Invasion forces all over the southwestern area are headed for targets!

[Xxzard]

December 10th 1941,

Invasion tf's out and on the way, other than that, not too much happening.

I have been launching small air attacks on the bases on the west coast of Malaya, and there was a small air battle, which turned out obviously one sided. 4 buffalos intercepted 14 lilys, 10 zeros, and 9 oscars with predictable results[:)]. Also, 3 B-17e's were intercepted over Aparri by 20 zeros, none were reported immediately lost, but the losses for the turn indicated one did not make it back. That is about the best my aircraft can do against these pesky but insignificant raids.

He is evacuating the ships from Manila port, one AK was caught by torps from a sub sitting outside the harbor, but more lucrative targets probably slipped by. However, I know that at least three subs were sunk there, and many more badly damaged in the several port attacks.

For whatever reason, my opponent did not move the merchant ships in the Naga port, and about ten ships were scuttled when the forces took the base.

It looks like I will be able to cut off the enemy forces in northern malaya with the two division's advance along the southern road. They are in full pursuit of the retreating British forces pushed out of Kota. Once those units are cut off, the northern 2 divisions moving along by land will attack the northern side of the pocket, and the advancing divisions the south side. Then it is on to Singapore.

The DEI will heat up soon.

[Shark7]

ORIGINAL: jeffs

You do not want to go deep into Burma.....at least over land....

I think you need to take out N. Australia just for defensive purposes...If not, it is easier for him to launch into the DEI from Darwin....

Agree on Burma. You need to take part of it to keep the bombers out of range of Palembang, but overall, its just not worth the slogging match it turns into. I've seen latrines that are more worth fighting over than Burma. [X(]

[Xxzard]

Latrines eh? [:D]

I think you're right on there, and I'm going to look to avoid Burma almost entirely. I would like to convince him I am going to advance into Burma and then pull a different strategy by advancing towards Rangoon with light forces then bypassing Burma completely.

[Xxzard]

Well we've taken a break from action for the holidays, but I should be getting on with December 13th results and Dec. 14th tomorrow.

[Xxzard]

I think I may have messed my dates up a little bit, but in any case this is December 13th.

He has moved in numerous subs to counter operations at Vigan and Aparii, but the focus has already shifted away from there. I moved in two ASW groups to minimize the threat there, and have already had success, doing heavy damage to the SS Perch. I don't plan to send many more transport groups through there anyway, I have rerooted the reinforcement divisions to land at Naga, and moved some support forces coming in over to Lingayan.

My bombardment group (4 CA force from Guam), hit Rabaul, but the transports took their time and didn't land that turn. After some recon from floatplanes, the bombardment improved significantly, but did not destroy any A/C. The invasion should land tomorrow, it ought to do well, most of the forces from Truk are there, and the commander was handpicked for the invasion force.

A few Hudsons attacked invasion forces moving into the Sulawesi area, I have some light CV forces in the area, I will try to at least do some kind of damage to the airbases with the relatively modest numbers of aircraft on the CVs, but mostly I will be counting on a poor performance from the dutch bombers. Manado force lands tomorrow, Jolo lands tomorrow probably, Amboina is moving in. Kendari is a ways off, but it will have light CV support and a BB force to help it out.

I would just post the standard combat report, but looking in my folders, I see where it probably should be, but it isn't there, instead there is an old report there.[:(] I'm sure I'm missing something there. Is the report for PBEM in a different location than normal games, or is it not present at all?

[Xxzard]

Okay, I really need to know where to find a complete text copied combat report because this combat replay for Dec 14th is just strange.[:D]

I'd love to post a picture of this battle that took place as well.

Suffice to say, an invasion covering force engaged the "evacuate everything from Manila" TF... [:D] The results were mostly inconclusive, but the picture, hilarious.

[2ndACR]

There is a copy of the combat report in your save folder.......it is called combat report. Double click on it and there you go. Copy and paste in a post.
 
Try to avoid posting entire reports all the time.......makes for alot of scrolling, best to touch the high points etc.

[Xxzard]

It looks like a combat report has not been generated since I started the PBEM game.

Perhaps if I switched the mode from PBEM to something else while watching the combat replay?

[2ndACR]

It should be there.....a combat report, allied sigent, ops report are generated every time.......they are above the wps001.......you have to exit WITP to see the report.......Manualy look in your save folder.

[Xxzard]

The folder is there, the other folders, sigintel's, operation reports, those are recent. The combat report however, has not been changed in a month, since I started the PBEM game.

Replaying the 001 save in a different mode than PBEM mode did not yield an update to the folder either.

I'll just continue with the summary until I can sort things out.

In the meantime, my opponent and I have ran another turn, so presenting the previous one is a moot point anyway. So, in summary of Dec 15:

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-Rabaul invasion force lands after significant cruiser bombardment, coastal fire is relatively light, only 1 ship hit.

-Manado invasion force lands with no bombardment, return fire is light, and no transports hit.

-Near China, the AP President Harrison is sunk by 4 destroyers while trying to escape the area.

-Nates encounter Blenheims escorted by Buffalos over Southern Burma, both sides have damaged aircraft, 1 Nate lost to ops.

-Now, the odd part. The covering force for the Jolo island invasion, a makeshift group comprised of one Chokai class CA, a kuma class CL and a Katori class CL encounters a huge covoy attempting to escape from Manila. It's mostly made up of MSW's, support ships, AK's, and most amusingly, the AR "Dewey Dry Dock" [:D] It is very funny to see that huge hulk in surface combat view. The whole thing is escorted by 4 old DDs.

As luck would have it though, the result was only 2DD's and 1 MSW hit significantly, but I may have a chance to intercept it again with a more appropriate surface force. It is moving utterly slow, and it is a huge mass.

-In quite a nasty surprise, British troops moved across the trails from Alor Star to Kota Bharu far faster than I would have anticipated, and have arrived in Kota Bharu. The only force there is one base force and an NLF I flew in. I only hoped the enemy force was not as strong as reported.

Summary Dec 16th
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-The troops at Rabaul attack, lowering fortifications by one level, and inflicting more casualties than they incur, thats a good sign.

-Manado falls quickly, it belongs to Japan on the first attack.

-The Jolo island invasion force lands, with no opposition.

-Reinforcements and support troops are landing to the north and south of Manila.

-The large evacuation task force is not encountered again today, it looks like the surface forces actually outran the slow moving enemy task force. However, I now have two additional surface combat groups in the area and the CVL Ryujo has moved into range, we're sure to inflict some kind of damage on that tf this turn.

-The Zuiho and Hosho launch air attack on Amboina base, with some minor damage, but no reports of aircraft destroyed. Perhaps next turn their aircraft can intercept some shipping in the area and have more success.

-In quite a scare, I flew in another NLF from Saigon to Kota Bharu, to try and hold on against the British attacking. Fortunately most of them were just on time for the allied shock attack on the base that day. However, the attack failed, and it looks like the attacking force is not strong enough. 2 divisions, one from the north, and one from the south, will arrive soon, and annihalate the attack on the base.

-I also moved in some oscars and zeros to defend the base from any more air attacks. The runway is still somewhat damaged, but I am tired of air attacks on the base going unchallenged.

-Also, the KB was discovered where it has been loitering for the past few days, by discovered I mean some unlucky merchant heading for Wake Is. was destroyed by the entire KB, so their position will have to be changed. Instead of setting a trap though with the CVs, I'll just have to be satisfied that the presence of the KB in the area will at least keep the allies at bay. I had hoped they would remain undiscovered at least until the wake invasion force reached the island.

[2ndACR]

I have no clue why you are not generating a combat report.......never seen that happen and you are Japan so having your opponent send it is out. Your report is the always correct one.