The First Team: Take Two!

[John 3rd]

June 1, 1942
Victory Points and Economic Summary

Victory Points:

Score
Japan 24,789 (Up 4,382)
Allies 5,339 (Down 237)

Strategic Losses:
Japan 0
Allies 34

We spent the month of May taking down India, capturing Burma, and finishing off New Zealand. Fleet activity was pretty calm with many warships working on repair and upkeep.

I am NEVER one for the score but it truly reflects our amazing success for little cost.

Ships Sunk
Japan 103—785 VP (Up 42)—6 Losses for May: 1 TK, 1 MSW, 1 DD and 3 SS (all I-Boats)

Total Naval Losses: 2 CL, 7 DD, and 14 SS (12 I-Boats and 2 Ro-)

Don’t like the SS losses but when fighting the British Navy, one has to expect it.

Allies 294---2,733 VP (Up 97)---Allies lost only 10 Ships in May. Exact sinkings were: 10 AK.

Total Warship Losses are: 2BB West Virginia and Oklahoma, 3 CA, 10 CL, 23 DD, 40 PT, and 25 SS (18 Fleet and 7 S-Boat)

Half of the AKs were sunk off Bombay and the other half goes to the Fleet SS.

Manchukuo Garrison---8,690---(8,000 Needed)---Down 97
Political Points---1155

Units Transferred:
2 Heavy Artillery Regiments
1 Chinese Independent Brigade
6 Con Btn


Industrial Report
Supply 2,382,890 UP 207,196
Fuel 2,834,725 UP 20,200
Manpower 871 (150,131) Gain 31 Surplus UP 56,087
Heavy Industry 14,385 (9,240) HI Up 237 and Reserve UP 8,200
Resources 19,385 (1,602,332) Gained 238 Centers and Reserve Down 62,104
Oil 2,335 (1,202,005) Up 67 Centers

Everything is looking great! Brad has done magnificent work with the economy. In the 7 months of war we have only had two where there was a dip in Supply or Fuel. Considering the expansion of the economy and growth of supply lines this is fantastic. We made solid gains in manpower, resources, and oil due to India.

Shipyards
Naval 1,372 (95) Expanded 14 Points of Yards
Merchant 950 (4,625) Dropped 2 Points of Yards
Repair 952 Expanded Repair Yards by 80 due to Auckland being captured and Diamond Harbor/Cebu expanding..

Carriers
Taiho 643 Days
Unryu 747 Days (Accel)
Amagi 750 Days (Accel)
Katsuragi 849 Days (Accel)
Kasagi 1,067 Days (Accel)
Aso 1,098 Days (Accel)
Ikoma 1,098 Days (Accel)
CVL Ryuho 24 Days (Accel)

EDIT: Should note that we have accelerated all of our CVs until Taiho/Unryu/Amagi are together and then we will advance the three of them as a group forward for a large reinforcement in mid-43. Bringing the later ones forward at this time only helps so we might get them earlier in 1944.

Battleships
Yamato Completed
Musashi 183 Days

CVE
Chuyo 6 Days (Accel)



Weapons
Armament 597 (28,432)
Vehicles 218 (9,557)

Both areas gain quite nicely in their stockpiles. These are our wartime numbers. Doubt if we will expand either from this point on.

Aircraft
Engines 1,830
Assembly 944 + (508-Rd)

Engines expand 40, production expands slightly, and research expands by 98.

Engine Production
Type Producing---Need---Stockpile
Mitsubishi 865—767—963
Nakajima 845(37)---629---243
Kawasaki 100---0---576
Aichi 20---0---108

Finally starting to stockpile Nakajima! Everything else looking OK.


Plane Production
Fighters Planes/Month (in Pool)
Nate 0 (213)
Claude 0 (179)
A6M2 167 (79)
A6M3 72 (110)
A6M3a 5-Rd 11/42
Oscar 144 (120)
Oscar IIa 12-Rd 11/42
Tojo 326-Rd 08/42
Tony 68-Rd 08/42
A6M5 5-Rd 09/43
Jack 24-Rd 10/43
N1K1 George 48-Rd 05/44
Frank 1a 0-Rd 08/44

We get Franks in 2 YEARS and 2 MONTHS! Banzai!!!

Naval Production: A6M2/A6M3 production is good. We dipped in our M2 stockpile because Brad turned off their production for a bit during the month..

Army Production: Oscars are OK and have expanded some. We crossed the 300-Rd research barrier with Tojo and advanced the month without getting them earlier! We want those planes…NOW…


Bombers
Nell 0 (269)
Betty 66 (35)
Betty 2 6-Rd 07/43
Sally 108 (27)
Helen 46 (30)
Lily 40 (100)
Val 57 (298)
Kate 48 (209)

Bombers are still not stockpiling. We filled out our main losses with India in preparation for going after Bombay

Seaplanes
Mavis 0 (36)
Emily 32 (7)
Dave 0 (113)
Alf 0 (20)
Pete 0 (77)
Pete A 0 (13)
Rufe 22 (77)
Glen 4 (42)
Dinah 31 (50)
Jake 34 (102)
Ida 0 (81)
Babs (Ki-15) 0 (75)
Babs (C5M) 8 (37)

Things are pretty decent here. Wish we could get to stockpiling Emilys but so many are lost every month! Can probably partially shutdown Jakes for a while. I like using Jakes and Alfs on my BBs and CAs. The Jakes are fairly strongly for a floatplane and the Alfs have that Range of 7 which can come in handy.

Transports
Tina 20 (27)
Sally 0 (18)
Topsy 25 (80)
Mavis-L 0 (34)
Tabby 20 (83)

All our Transports are filled out and the stockpiles begin to grow. We probably need to start moving these valuable planes out of Burma and India so they can help elsewhere.

[John 3rd]

Since we haven't seen a turn yet this morning I did the VP/Econ Report and then started a review of the Pacific.  Brad had commented to me about his understandable concerns about fuel in the Pacific and that led me to do some serious thinking from the Allied side.  My postulating led me in several directions:

1.  Australia---I don't think we have much to fear from here for a while.  With our massive advancements in New Zealand, India, and Exmouth Bay, the chances of them having serious offensive firepower is fairly remote for the foreseeable future. I don't even think there are ANY 4EB in Aussieland.  We haven't seen one from here and all we do see of then cones from Bombay and Karachi. 

With this thinking---RULE OUT Australia as an immediate threat until something changes.

2.  SE Pacific---The Allies have really built-up the Society Islands so there could be a real threat from that quarter.  It may deserve some further attention in terms of reinforcements.  The plans are to base the Fleet close enough here that support could reach Suva/Pago Pago/etc... without too much time passing.  Beyond troops, we have decent strength in aircraft and Base Forces in this Theatre.

With this thinking---SE PAC OK but could use some more troops.

3.  Central Pacific---Brad is nervous here but I feel OK.  Marcus is building nicely and Wake will soon move to Sz-4 AF.  We have good amounts of aircraft, strong AF, and decent troop levels.  The Fleet will be based up here as an added bonus to the region. 

There are a lot of troops and supply convoys on the way to this area in preparation of the Canton Invasion.  Those 3 China Brigades are currently unloading at Kwajalein and will sit for a week or so before re-loading and moving out.

Should note there has been some Allied activity in this area.  Baker has been occupied and PBYs are now flying out of the island.  I am going to take it with an SNLF from Tarawa to see what reaction I get.

With this thinking---I would WELCOME an advance here!  Some life in this area indicate a possible Allied move...

4.  North Pacific---As I survey Kiska, Attu, and Amchatka I find real concerns up here.  This is a definite backwater for the Empire.  I have few troops, aircraft, and ships here.  The Kuriles are not even garrisoned with the exception of Paramushiro Jima.  There is NOTHING in Japan to reinforce this theatre is action comes...

With this thinking---Danger creeps into my thinking.  Steve has opening expressed his admiration for Dan's achievement against me in the North Pacific with our Forlorn Hopes Campaign.  Not sure what Paul thinks and this is his area of control...

Conclusions:
I would rate the probability of an Allied Offensive within the next 3 months as greatest in the Central Pacific and North Pacific.  There is little needed to reinforce the Central Pacific but the North Pacific is highly vulnerable.  

Decisions:
1.  Will look to move several SNLF North to bolster the garrisons.  Perhaps will use the 1 China Brigade that has been bought and is still present in China as Theatre Reserve.

2.  Might be a good idea to move some recon up here and see what is happening.  Will immediately move a Chutai of Emily North and use them for this purpose.

3.  Will need to get some strike planes and more warships up here.  Since I only have DDs, I will augment these with a few CA and CL to give some real striking power to what is present.  Would love a pair of old BBs!  Brad--Do you need all six of the old BBs in India?  For an immediate move I think I'll divert Yamato and the 2 CA that were going to move to the KB and shift them North.

4.  Got a CD unit at Milne Bay and will transfer it North.

5.  Will move some minor construction units to the Kuriles to begin Fort construction.

6.  Begin to mull over getting a punch in first by doing something about Dutch Harbor...


Thoughts?
  

[Q-Ball]

I concur that Australia is likely neutralized for the time being; no threat from this quarter at present. Chance of Allied offensive 5%.

They could attack in the Southern Pacific, most likely Tonga or Pago Pago, but possibly Tarawa. There hasn't been as much activity at Canton to indicate Tarawa. I consider this less likely, as they are sighting KB down there, and those targets have less value.

The most likely line of attack is Central or Northern Pacific. Cent Pac can be secured with the fleet at Truk.

I also think the most likely axis of Allied attack is the Aleutians. I haven't looked at our forces up there, but John is right, there aren't alot of reserves in the Home Islands; 1 Nav Gd unit at Tokyo, which we can tag for the Aleuts.

If it is the Aleutians, I would expect a fairly limited countermove, but given impending winter, I would expect it soon, and I would expect CV commitment.

It might not be a bad idea to set up a line of picket subs north of Hawaii as well as sending ground troops. I would send some Bettys up there to raid an Allied base and just announce their presence, so that they think we have air committed there. I would pull the Bettys from New Zealand, and rotate everyone north to get some to Attu.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

I concur that Australia is likely neutralized for the time being; no threat from this quarter at present. Chance of Allied offensive 5%.

They could attack in the Southern Pacific, most likely Tonga or Pago Pago, but possibly Tarawa. There hasn't been as much activity at Canton to indicate Tarawa. I consider this less likely, as they are sighting KB down there, and those targets have less value.

The most likely line of attack is Central or Northern Pacific. Cent Pac can be secured with the fleet at Truk.

I also think the most likely axis of Allied attack is the Aleutians. I haven't looked at our forces up there, but John is right, there aren't alot of reserves in the Home Islands; 1 Nav Gd unit at Tokyo, which we can tag for the Aleuts.

If it is the Aleutians, I would expect a fairly limited countermove, but given impending winter, I would expect it soon, and I would expect CV commitment.

It might not be a bad idea to set up a line of picket subs north of Hawaii as well as sending ground troops. I would send some Bettys up there to raid an Allied base and just announce their presence, so that they think we have air committed there. I would pull the Bettys from New Zealand, and rotate everyone north to get some to Attu.

Where is our morning turn from the Allies?

Brad--Concur. I will begin moving stuff as soon as we have a turn to work with.

The Betty idea is excellent. They won't have a clue as to what we have up there so it might serve to calm them about any idea in attacking. My DDs are making a pass at Dutch Harbor on the next turn. I've been sending them about twice a month to see if anything is at the harbor.

They don't have any planes at Kodiak or Dutch Harbor either. It APPEARS to be another backwater area from their perspective too...

How about we pull SS as they are repaired at the Home Islands and send them North? That should give us 4-6 SS in a decent amount of time.

Will pull that CD Unit at Milne Bay and send it North as well as look to that Chinese Brigade and a few Construction Bat. I'll also grab the Naval Guard in Tokyo. Is there anything in the Philippines usable?

We don't need to get carried away but I'd like to double what is presently there to be safe. Call me paranoid...

[ny59giants]

India - Brad will need to remember to prep his Command HQ for Bombay and move it to within range where it came help with his attacks. I spoke with John about this last night and I will take the heat for getting on his case about it. [:D] See "must read threads" for why they are important and often overlooked.

Aleutians: Move the Northern Area Army Command HQ to either Attu or Kiska and have it prepping for your eastern most or most vulnerable base that is within range. It depends on what your intentions are here. Naval HQ and a few ARs to the base your ships will need to go if damaged. Prep it for that base. Any extra Army HQ to send here?? 2 or 3 Glen equipped subs and 2x that number in fleet subs to move down the chain and see what is out there.

Central Pacific: Again with your Glen equipped subs and fleet subs. Time to up your intel of what they have going on. I would do the same down around the Society Islands.

Overall, I would be finding out more of what they have going on to your eastern flank.

[ny59giants]

P.S. You Tina crews should pack up their cold weather clothing. 

[John 3rd]

Thanks Michael.

Brad--Michael and I chatted for an hour last night and he brought up the Command question (thus--it--IS--his--fault!).  Southern Area Command is at Calcutta prepping for Calcutta.  We should probably move it to Poona and set it for Bombay to aid our future attacks there.  There is an Army Corps HQ supporting both thrusts again Karachi and Bombay so we are good there presently.

An Army Corps command up North is a good idea.  Wonder where we might find one?  Hmmmm...have to look a bit...

I have Northern Area Command at Paramushiro Jima but the idea of moving it to Kiska holds real merit.  Will add that to the list of 'Things to do.'

Have a decent number of SS moving into the seas north and east of Canton right now.  Could use some Emily for long-range recon of Society and Line Islands. 

[John 3rd]

Perhaps it is just some new found paranoia but Kodiak just went to Lvl-5 AF this turn.  Dutch Harbor is still Pt-4 and AF-0 with no sign of construction anywhere else.  My 6 DD swept into Dutch Harbor and didn't find anything. 

These were the orders issued last for the June 2nd turn:

1.  SS Concentration for Aleutians:  2 Glen-SS, 4 I-Boats, and 3 Ro.  An AS is now heading for Kiska.

2.  I order a combined CA, 3 CL, and 5 DD to move towards Kiska.  These ships will be joined by Yamato, 2 CA, and 1 DD from Shanghai.  That will create a rather stout STF!  Will probably use it against Dutch Harbor to announce its presense in hopes of forestalling any activity by the Allies.

3.  Ordered in 4 Con Bat to Etorofu, Paramushiro Jima, Attu, and Kiska.

4.  Ordered the Naval Guard at Tokyo to go to Amchitka.

5.  Sent shipping to pick-up CD unit at Milne Bay and to Paramushiro Jima for Morthern Area Command.  Still need to look for an Army Corps HQ (forgot).

6.  Ordered China Brigade to begin prepping for Kiska.  It is almost out of that trails hex at Pucheng and will quickly move on to Shanghai.

Figure we will be in a better position in about 2 weeks.  Cannot believe that I hadn't noticed the weakness up there before!  Been so focused on New Zealand and the KB that it slipped through the cracks.  I'm glad I do a 'once around the map' check everything beginning of the month.  Kudos to Brad for making me think about this!  His fuel comment yesterday sparked the interest to look a bit more thoroughly at everything.
  

[ny59giants]

I order a combined CA, 3 CL, and 5 DD to move towards Kiska. These ships will be joined by Yamato, 2 CA, and 1 DD from Shanghai. That will create a rather stout STF! Will probably use it against Dutch Harbor to announce its presence in hopes of forestalling any activity by the Allies.

Why let the cat out of the bag?? You're giving them free intel on what they could face up here rather than let them try and guess. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing but prepare. As a history professor, you know that attacking is not always the best option every time.

[ny59giants]

Kanshein - It is out in the middle of nowhere and connected by trails only in southern China. Check your troops marching there to ensure they have adequate supply. The AI usually doesn't pull in enough supplies to the base itself, let alone troops trying to get there. If low and/or below twice needed, start dropping them from transports. Is Canton secure enough that you could change the Command HQ prep to here??

John - I know you dislike (I was nice and didn't use the word hate) ground warfare, so here is your basic checklist for WITP:
1) Enough supply - up to twice what is needed is preferred
2) Enough support troops - that's why HQ are important to get your AV to the max. Not enough and your AV suffers.
3) LCU's prepped for the objective (attack or defend)
4) HQ - at least one Corp HQ (usually has a command radius of 1) and if possible a Command HQ (usually has a radius of 9)
5) Air support and/or naval support when needed.

Now you can be General Lee. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Ohhhhhh....I FEEL so much more capable now with that Sage advice!  In this day and age it is so much more important to FEEL something then DOOOO something!  What kind of comment was that?  Better end this quick note right now!

I won't be able to do anything with the STF for at least a 10-14 days so we'll see what develops.

[ny59giants]

What kind of comment was that?

If you need an answer to this you will need to slow down before you use the keyboard when you make a reply.

You "seem" to be taking feedback in rather personal manner rather than in a constructive way. [&:]

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

What kind of comment was that?

If you need an answer to this you will need to slow down before you use the keyboard when you make a reply.

You "seem" to be taking feedback in rather personal manner rather than in a constructive way. [&:]

I was making a political comment regarding our Imperious Leader here in the States you DOLT!!!! [&o][&o][&o] It is a rough crowd these days...

[ny59giants]

Be Specific!!!

I cannot read your mind all the time. . . . never mind, false premise. [:D]

[John 3rd]

Just left a message on your voicemail!  I did not want to rile the waves by being TOOOOOO specific.  I have a Forlorn Hopes turn to run now...

[John 3rd]

Brad and I had email flashing fast and furious today.  Perhaps we are over-reacting but I hadn't really noticed how things were until this morning.  It is amazing to think that one can ignore issues within an entire Theatre of Operations but I did.  Given just a few days we can begin to improve things, a week would allow us to get pieces in place, and two weeks will close the window of opportunity.

Things got me thinking about how well this has gone in seven months of action.  A 2x2 takes a bit more work in setting things up to start with and reasonably clear communication between both players.  We have had that throughout the campaign.  A tandem game requires compatibility and I strongly feel that Brad and I have that.  We have had a good time emailing everyday and communicating over game developments whenever needed.

With New Zealand about finished I will be shifting to a defensive posture throughout most of the Pacific.  Still plan to look at Landing at Canton Isle sometime within June but past that there is no real plan now.  It is my hope to bring the American Fleet to battle.  This is why, as we have talked about above, more recon assets and SS are moving into the Pacific.  Beyond Canton I figure to be moving troops around and generally getting the house in order for the second half of 1942.

As shown within Forlorn Hopes I am rarely willing to sit still with the Fleet but we need to make sure that the choices are sound, attainable, and reasonable...

 

[2ndACR]

Instead of placing 1 const BN on each of those bases, you should deploy all 4 to your forward base to do rapid building.......2-3 Tabby units can then airlift each unit to the next base and so on.
 
I usually have 2-3 Engineer Reg assigned to Cen and So PAC and all 3 hit the same base.......I keep enough transports to lift 1 Reg at a time close by. They then move from base to base once it reaches my comfort zone.
 
My const Bn's are grouped by 6's........with enough AK's or AP's to shift 2 at a time. They also all travel in a group to each base. But massed Tabby's serve the same purpose and can rapidly shift your construction units around from base to base.
 
But I would really think about keeping the 4 BN's together and go to a single base at a time........that speeds things up alot better.

[John 3rd]

My little raid at Baker nets a small prize!

[EWGuttag]

John 3rd,
 
Looks like overkill to me!  A puny AVD versus 1 CL and 8 DDs.  Enjoy.

[John 3rd]

This is the morning email exchange between Brad and I (Brad's thoughts are in the bold):

Took about an hour to do the turn.  Choices/Comments:
1.  After a bunch of thinking your points make a bunch of sense.  Support Force (which was moving to Tokyo) headed back to Singapore...

We have assume there are only two types of CV forces we will encounter:
5 USN CVs or 3 RN CVs.  Period.  Anything that can't handle those forces shouldn't engage.

2.  CAP TRAP:  Ordered that TF to Attack Bombay shipping.  We have to get them in close enough to draw the bombers.  Had a concern though.  Since they are now using 50% of their fighters to escort bombers is that a good thing or bad thing if those Fighters comes along with the bombers?  Not really sure of an answer.

The TF should stop 6 hexes from Bombay; this is outside of Hurri range for sure, and I think it's outside of extended P-40 range?  Let's look that up.  It's definitely outside P-40 normal range.  I also think those fighters at Bombay may not be on escort, but rather on Ground Attack to build experience.

3.  There are some ships heading Canton that will be in for a rude surprise.  Lines up 3 Ro-SS across their path and formed up a STF to time hitting Canton with their arrival.

4.  Bombay--Karachi:  I don't think you should even move near Karachi.  I've been thinking about this for a couple of days and feel that we should put blocking forces in Malir and wheel the while army into Bombay to try and reduce that.  It is doubtful we can take either but it makes a bunch more sense to concentrate on one instead of split our forces against both.  My .02 there.

My only thinking was that we can pin them easier in an Urban hex, than we can on clear terrain on that River.  Other option is to turn Malir into fort.  But the plan right now is to move 2 divisions into Urban hex and park.  Moving into urban hex has side benefit of shutting down industry.

5.  Northern India:  What are those two units doing over there?  There are two Allied units that just moved into the town you took.  Can we get a surrender there perhaps?

No, they are going to retreat to Rawapindi.  Annoying.

6.  Pangrim-Mandalore:  Same comment goes for those 3 units trapped on the coast.

We could move there, but then whatever unit does that is stuck moving back.  I suppose we could transport them out.  Those units have no offensive ability, so the only thing the Allies can do is lift out fragments, or they just starve.  They can't hurt us, so I haven't paid any attention other than occasional bombing/training raid.

7.  KB is finally concentrated at Auckland.  Barring major changes, it will stay there until the 15th and then move to support the Canton Invasion.  It will then take up residence at Kwajalein barring major raids and operations.

Great! 

8.  Bombay:  With them only lfying 48 Fighters on CAP there is an excellent chance we could overwhelm those Fighters with a Sweep:  150 vs 48.  If they still choose to divide their Fighters then we do it again.  We simply must crack the Bombay defense.  I believe that will hinge on Battleship bombardment but first the air has to be whittled down some.

That's the other option; with the airbases not yet to lvl-4, that makes the reduced bombloads impossible to follow that up with an effective bombing attack.  But we would shoot down a bunch of fighters.  Sort of waiting until the bombers can bomb.

9.  Singapore:  The warships aren't repairing very fast there due to all those AK-AP.  Can we move them en masse to Palembang for a week or two so those BBs get repaired?

Probably a good idea, or Saigon, either way.

Lotta thoughts here...