ALLIED ONLY: aztez (A) vs erstad (J) ...2nd ROUND

[aztez]

Q-Ball: You are most like correct. The battle of Burma is about to begin next turn since he has entered on our 1st defensive perimeter.

I'am still not convinced I should try to hold on to Mandalay area due to the clear hexes.

medicff: I have spent so much PP on leaders and such that those units are not yet released. Well, I did relase the first chinese unit last turn and it will be heading towards Myithkina.

These were not neglected though. It is simply because I did not have the PP available.


Borneo (january 26th and 27th 1942)


The invasion TF showed up at Samarinda last turn. Somewhat disappointed that dutch submarines were unable to get any hits on enemy transports.

This invasion is supported by enemy carriers. Dave did an mistake here though since he was not careful with the aircraft ranges. Instead of just trying to cover the landings these banzai crazy pilots hit Soerebaja.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 56,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B5N1 Kate x 15



Allied aircraft
B-339D x 9
75A-7 Hawk x 6
P-40E Warhawk x 15


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 9 destroyed, 2 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 2 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Dragon
xAK Doryssa
xAK Bengalen



Aircraft Attacking:
1 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
1 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(6 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 6 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 42 minutes
6 planes vectored on to bombers
3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (0 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 46 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
3e-1-VI.G.V Groep with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 14 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
3-VI.G.V with B-339D (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 11000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
3 planes vectored on to bombers
20th PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (4 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 14000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 56,104

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 52 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
B4Y1 Jean x 3
B5N1 Kate x 3



Allied aircraft
B-339D x 7
75A-7 Hawk x 7
P-40E Warhawk x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
B4Y1 Jean: 2 destroyed
B5N1 Kate: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
B-339D: 2 destroyed
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead



CAP engaged:
1-Vl.G.IV with 75A-7 Hawk (0 airborne, 5 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 2 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 15000 and 18000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers
3-Vl.G.IV with B-339D (1 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
3e-1-VI.G.V Groep with B-339D (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 3 minutes
3-VI.G.V with B-339D (0 airborne, 2 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 18000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
2 planes vectored on to bombers
20th PS (P) with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 3 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 16000 , scrambling fighters between 16000 and 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 52 minutes
7 planes vectored on to bombers

...that is nice! Another 20 skilled carrier pilots shot down. Add this to the Fiji losses and we killed quite a few of them in past week or so.

Here is an pic from the Borneo area.

Green arrow = Carrier strike againts Soerebaja.

Blue arrows = Dive bombers moved into frontline bases. There are around 40 Banshee ready for action along with couple of torpedo planes. Lets see whether we can actually get some results in the forthcoming turn. These planes are stationed at Macassar and Balikpapan.

There is an somewhat damaged PT TF in Balikpapan which is ordered to intercept the invasion TF's.

I haven't issued any moving orders to the ABDA surface fleet. I think it is too risky at the moment to do so.

Fingers crossed that the next turn will be good. I doubt he can supress the airfields in the region due to the Soerebaja raids.

[aztez]

China (january 26th and 27th 1942)

The first big ground battle about to begin at Chenchow. This base have been bombarded for several days now.

There are 20 enemy units entering the city and I would estimate that he has brought in 100 000 men with armour. So, this might be an swift encounter.

I have left around 780av behind level 3 forts. These untis have adequate supplies and support so just maybe we can inflict nice amount of damage.

I have kept moving forces around and those blue arrows indicate the headings.

Actually it feels much better to have natural level 3 forts on every hex than just wait behind build up forts. I'am quite hopeful that his offensive will encounter serious resistance and will be eventually halted here.

The whole country has become the training ground for enemy pilots. I have no idea how any squadrons he has all over the place but it is an big number.

Things are getting quite intresting.

[aztez]

Borneo (january 28th and 29th 1942)

Sometimes you can feel good when a plan works out.

That can be said on the ABDA fightback in Samarinda. As described earlier I did move divebombers into area and they struck quite nicely.

Only downside is that Dave managed to land in 10 000 men but he really needs to bring in new vessels in order to take them out again.

This is just an summary based on the combat replay record.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Samarinda at 65,96, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro
DD Yukikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Suzukaze
DMS W-7
DMS W-8

Allied Ships
PT TM-10, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-11
PT TM-12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PT TM-13, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
PT TM-14
PT TM-15, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



Improved night sighting under 85% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 85% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 8,000 yards
DMS W-8 fires at PT TM-15 at 8,000 yards
DMS W-8 fires at PT TM-14 at 8,000 yards
DMS W-8 fires at PT TM-13 at 8,000 yards
DMS W-7 fires at PT TM-14 at 8,000 yards
Range closes to 2,000 yards
PT TM-14 engages DD Suzukaze at 2,000 yards
PT TM-15 engages DD Kawakaze at 2,000 yards
PT TM-11 engages DMS W-7 at 2,000 yards
PT TM-10 engages DMS W-8 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-10 at 2,000 yards
Naoi, Toshio orders Japanese TF to disengage
PT TM-15 engages CA Haguro at 2,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-15 at 2,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
PT TM-15 sunk by DD Tokitsukaze at 2,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-10 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT TM-14 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-11 at 2,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-10 at 2,000 yards
PT TM-13 sunk by DMS W-8 at 2,000 yards
PT TM-10 engages DMS W-7 at 2,000 yards
Range increases to 4,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 4,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT TM-11 at 4,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 6,000 yards
PT TM-14 engages DMS W-7 at 6,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-12 at 6,000 yards
PT TM-12 sunk by DD Yukikaze at 6,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 6,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 6,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT TM-14 at 8,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-11 at 8,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT TM-10 at 8,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages PT TM-14 at 8,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-14 at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT TM-11 at 11,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 11,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-14 at 11,000 yards
DD Kawakaze engages PT TM-11 at 11,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages PT TM-14 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
CA Haguro engages PT TM-14 at 7,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-11 at 7,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 7,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 7,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
PT TM-14 engages DMS W-7 at 10,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-11 at 10,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 9,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-11 at 9,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-10 at 9,000 yards
DMS W-8 engages PT TM-14 at 9,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
PT TM-11 engages DMS W-8 at 11,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-10 at 11,000 yards
DD Yukikaze engages PT TM-14 at 11,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages PT TM-11 at 8,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-10 at 8,000 yards
PT TM-10 sunk by DD Yukikaze at 8,000 yards
DMS W-7 engages PT TM-14 at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Samarinda at 65,96

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 10


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAP Haruna Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tenryu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
8 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
87th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Samarinda at 65,96

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes


Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 11


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Shikano Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Konan Maru
xAK Nanrei Maru
xAK Nittai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Nittai Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Samarinda at 65,96

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 8


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Keisho Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Minryo Maru



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
87th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Samarinda at 65,96

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 13 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes


Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 11


Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Tenryu Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Kidokawa Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Yamafuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kanko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Tenryu Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Yamafuku Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Samarinda (65,96)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 721 troops, 13 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Defending force 10425 troops, 106 guns, 144 vehicles, Assault Value = 301

Japanese ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
86 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Assaulting units:
Samarinda KNIL Battalion
Samarinda Base Force

Defending units:
III/66th Naval Guard Unit
9th Infantry Rgt /1
Kure 2nd SNLF
1st Engineer Co
4th Engineer Co
1st Ind. Engineer Regiment
Miura Det
8th Tank Regiment
16th Recon Rgt /1
17th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Donggala at 67,97

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 17


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 4 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Nanrei Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Macassar Maru
xAP Hakone Maru
xAK Shoho Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Kikukawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tofuku Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires



Aircraft Attacking:
6 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
11 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
87th Sentai/B with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(3 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 10000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 11 minutes

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Kikukawa Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Tofuku Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 65,97

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 42 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 1



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 2


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 1 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balikpapan at 65,97

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
F1M2 Pete x 1



Allied aircraft
A-24 Banshee x 11


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
A-24 Banshee: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
BB Kongo



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A-24 Banshee diving from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Kongo-1 with F1M2 Pete (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Raid is overhead


Nice! Quite a few transports reported hit! Too bad we did not hit those 2 battleships out there nor did we launch any raids againts his carriers withdrawing towards Celebes.

Than again the issue of FOW comes into play. We might have caused more damage or less damage... sometimes you just hate FOW feature.

At least Dave commented this: "Nothing too major happened, but this was not a good turn for me.."

Here is the pic from previous turn with descriptions added into it.

[Q-Ball]

It's just about Feb 1, and your opponent is landing at Samarinda, and has Singkawang. He isn't particularly close, then, to invading Java. You've put up a good fight, but the Japs can move quicker than that if they choose to. I haven't played yet so easier said than done, but it appears he is behind a bit in the DEI.

I feel the Empire needs to move fast, because the KNIL forces on Java get alot better given time. How are your troops on Java looking? 2 months in they should be pretty rested, fairly high morale, digging in, and maybe even training a bit.

[aztez]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

It's just about Feb 1, and your opponent is landing at Samarinda, and has Singkawang. He isn't particularly close, then, to invading Java. You've put up a good fight, but the Japs can move quicker than that if they choose to. I haven't played yet so easier said than done, but it appears he is behind a bit in the DEI.

I feel the Empire needs to move fast, because the KNIL forces on Java get alot better given time. How are your troops on Java looking? 2 months in they should be pretty rested, fairly high morale, digging in, and maybe even training a bit.

The timetable is actually very hard to judge. It kind of depends what his aims are. At least he has been very active in souther pacific and the massive juggernaught he landed in Luzon will buy him time.

There are already landings at Naga and Bataan was captured. So basically next stop will be Manila.

To my mind the "timetable" is quite an subjective matter.

Yes, my troops are resting and training in Java. The morale levels are raising day by day and I still have substantial airforce there. I haven't moved any British ground troops there though.

As for fortifications they are building up but it is agonazingly slow project with AE. Quite diffrent than in the old witp.

I will go into greater detail regarding Java once it becomes relevant.

Lets just say that I give myself an grade of 8+ (scale 4-10). I'am happy with the results here for now and Fiji battle was an allied victory on my count. Than again I really blundered quite a few things at Noumea, CenPac and China. Not to mention Clark Field which will cost me dearly.

The most important thing is that this will be an journey with an opponent that I really do have respect for. I'am just trying my best to give him an game that will cause him few grey hairs at least.

[devoncop]

Hi,

I am still following this epic AAR and love the details of the Chinese theatre which often seems to get neglected. Every Japanese soldier and airman tied up there, (even if they seem to be using it to gain experience) is one that cannot hurt you in the DEI or even further South. I believe the campaign cant be lost by an Allied player very easily in China, but certainly can around Australia and India.
It would seem the inactivity in Burma has something at least to do with the large forces being committed by the Japanese in China.The important thing in China is to be phlegmatic about losses......the Chinese can afford them while the Japanese cant........ Hitting China is like "boxing a Jelly[:D]"

In case you thought I had disappeared I am fighting as the Allies V the AI in Guadalcanal scenario at the moment and have become SO engrossed in the ebb and flow that Ive been glued to it ! Dangerously addictive isnt it!!


Keep up the resistance....

Ian

[aztez]

devoncop: I don't know how epic this is but it is an struggle for sure.

That is pretty much way I look at the things. The new ground combat model really doesn't favour chinese though since it is so much brutal.

I don't how important Burma will be in the forthcoming months since it is an wasteland so I would assume that the focus might bypass the area somewhat. I did realese another chinese infantry division last turn and it will be heading towards Myithkina.

Oh, you are just one jump away from the GC! Hopefully you are putting up an good fight in guadacanal.


China (january 30th and 31st 1942)


The new ground combat system is very brutal indeed. IJA launched an ground assault againts Chengchow and the city was overrun within just two days.

Yes, this yet another shock assault and the losses were horrible.. not for the japanese but chinese.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Chengchow (88,44)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 77966 troops, 515 guns, 141 vehicles, Assault Value = 2465

Defending force 31251 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 766

Japanese adjusted assault: 1780

Allied adjusted defense: 368

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 3)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
4175 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 134 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 220 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 27 (1 destroyed, 26 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3733 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 73 destroyed, 121 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)


Assaulting units:
4th Cavalry Brigade
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade
35th/A Division
7th Mongol Cavalry Division
37th Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
16th RGC Temp. Division
6th Mongol Cavalry Division
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
3rd NCPC Infantry Brigade
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
1st Ching An Tui Brigade
110th Division
17th RGC Temp. Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Mongol Cavalry Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th/C Division
North China Area Army

Defending units:
7th Construction Regiment
40th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
98th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/C Corps
24th Group Army
1st War Area
39th Group Army
10th Chinese Base Force

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Chengchow (88,44)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 76604 troops, 518 guns, 140 vehicles, Assault Value = 2728

Defending force 28116 troops, 135 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 655

Japanese adjusted assault: 1399

Allied adjusted defense: 129

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Chengchow !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
1555 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 125 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 120 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
11939 casualties reported
Squads: 223 destroyed, 89 disabled
Non Combat: 414 destroyed, 137 disabled
Engineers: 60 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 13 (13 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 9
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th RGC Temp. Division
35th/A Division
37th Division
3rd NCPC Infantry Brigade
6th Mongol Cavalry Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
2nd Ching An Tui Brigade
5th Mongol Cavalry Division
41st Division
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Engineer Regiment
4th Cavalry Brigade
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
110th Division
7th Mongol Cavalry Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
16th RGC Temp. Division
1st Ching An Tui Brigade
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade
35th/C Division
North China Area Army

Defending units:
3rd Construction Regiment
98th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/C Corps
39th Group Army
1st War Area
24th Group Army
10th Chinese Base Force


If you look at the first assault we got + modifiers on leaders and forts.

I had +750av value behind level forts and they did not mount to much yet again. Somewhat suprised to see the adjusted av value since I had adequate amount of supplies and support. Add those forts to it and it still got -50%. Go figure.

We talked about how awful an failed shock assault would be but at this rate there is not going to be many of those!

Also eventhough we inflicted casualties those were disablements mostly. Not good eventhough it might slow him down a bit.

At least to me it seems that japanese player can move quite freely here! Shock assault vs level 3-4 forts are piece of cake unless you have somekind of terrain bonuses. Even with them I wonder whether the ground combat model have boosted up armoured units too much in AE.

That remains to be seen.

I will post few pics on overall losses, aces, pools in a bit.

[aztez]

Luzon (january 30th and 31st 1942)

As we encountered the "supply bug" in Clark Field this area has been somewhat stalemate. He has his huge army waiting to move into Manila.

In the meantime he has made couple of additional landings here in the southern coast.

Bataan was seized easily with minium amount of infantry commitment.

The overall situation is kind of pinzer movement trap. Nowhere to go so just wait for the final blow here. By looking at the chinese campaign it will take maybe 2-4 shock assaults to capture the base. I don't he will even check losses.. just blast away and this city will fall.

We only have +3 forts builded up so I doubt it will amount to anything usefull.

IJA has massive amount of bombers here supporting this operation.

[aztez]

These next pics dont require much of explaining. These are monthly stats dated 1st of february 1942.

[aztez]

Aircraft losses by model so far. I don't think Dave is hurting too much here though.

[aztez]

The top aces so far in the war

[aztez]

The pools of replacement fighters! NOTE: the soviets are not shown here.

[aztez]

The replacement pools of all kind of bombers. NOTE: Soviets not included.

[seydlitz_slith]

Don't feel bad about Chengchow. For whatever reason the Chinese can't seem to do anything to hold it.
On a positive note, he is disrupted to the point that he is taking minuses in combat.

Perhaps you could move a unit of obsolete chinese fighters into the airbase next to Chengchow and assign them to do strafing attacks at 100' on his ground units there to slow their recovery. That would hurt him as much as the fighting does.
If you annoy him enough, he will have to move decent fighter units up and start providing top cover for his troops. That would keep them from being used elsewhere. You could then move your attacks around to different units, still doing damage and making it harder for him to cover everything.

Be like a pesky fly.

Looking at his loses, you are not doing pretty bad (of course the fog of war might be telling big lies here) so far.

If he really has lost 164 zeroes then he is hurting since he only started with 26 in the pool and would have produced only 112 so far. Watch for zero units in combat with fewer than 27 planes or multiples of 9 planes. If you see a lot that are only flying like 20 planes then you know that he has exhausted his pool and is living hand to mouth here. That is when you try to bait him into a trap where you fight his weakened zero units with your remaining P-40 units. Even on an exchange, it will hurt him to continue bleeding a plane that he can't replace fast enough. Granted, by March his factory expansion on the zeroes should be starting to catch up on his losses. Yet, if you keep attriting him in February and early March as long as you can, then you can keep him hurting for a while.

His Lily and Kate pools should also be totally exhausted and the only way he can replace Kate losses would be by changing out his land based units with Jeans to get about 70 more Kates. Since he had no Kate production at start, he will take a while to build up a replacement pool. You may be able to take advantage of this during the mid-spring even though you have lost two carriers. He will be more reluctant to commit the KB if his strike arm is not at full strength or if he can't replace the losses.

He is probably fine on Nell and Sally losses so far so there isn't much you can do here.

[devoncop]

Hi.

Guadalcanal started off stickily but the attack on PM has been heavily defeated and Lunga and Tugaki (?) have been overrun.Japanese have lost a lot of flyboys from Air to Air and flak but have hit my naval forces quite hard (score 6600 to 1300 in my favour at end of Sept) which seems ok.GC soon I hope!

As for the Chinese situation in your game I think you are beating yourself up unfairly.Looking at your Nanying victory and the Chengchow defeat you caused around 6000 casualties in Chenchow and 10% losses and there will be a lot of disrupted and fatigued Japanese around for a while.Bear in mind you were outnumbered 5 to 1 in guns and were immobile and inexperienced compared to the Japanese.You really can absorb huge losses and your victory in Nanying shows the effects if your own forces have decent heavy gun support.

What are Chinese resources like re guns? Do you have them all in the strongpoints you have established?

I am not doing a "Comical Ali" Information Minister turn but I think you can afford to be more positive [:D]

Cheers
Ian

[Smeulders]

Also interesting are the huge OpLosses he is taking. Granted, all units, even units with low fatigue and high morale tend to botch a lot of landings, but over half may point to exhausted squadrons. 

[aztez]

seydlitz: Yeah Chengchow was doomed from the start once it became obvious where the hammer was directed.

You are correct and these assaults + recovery should eat a lot of supplies too!

I'am starting to be more active in the air above china. It will take few turns though to get everything in place. I did bomb his armoured units moving towards Lanchow and last turn zero fighters moved in to cover these units.

Intresting remark about zero's. I have actually seen just 4-5 fighters providin cap. Ie. near Lanchow. Definately will keep an eye on this. I don't whether he is moving just with lba cover in Borneo now after those carrier raids. Maybe we hurt him more than I estimated.

I have tried to combat these zeros with AVG but the results have been very poor. Now we are waiting him on the southern pacific and DEI. It will consume his precious zero's once he comes to play.

I was wondering about those Kate losses and his carriers are now nowhere to be found. I have within 2 weeks time 3 US carriers plus 1 RN carrier and CVL Hermes. I thinking of combining these ships but not yet decieded on the issue.

As for his lba bombers. Well, they are hammering away in China, Malaya and Luzon. So he propably has made some production adjustments.

devoncop: That sound like an good fight! By the sound of it you are ready for GC.

Yeah, I'am hard to myself because I really don't want to give him free pass on this theatre! ..maybe a bit harsh but definately a lot of things to improve regards my gameplay. This is something I like in these forums. Tons of players with their approaches and you can included fresh ideas to your own game this way.

The Nanyang thing went all wrong last turn since I took an gamble. This was calculated risk and I'am willing to live with the results.

There really is not much in terms of guns and these are spread around the map. I might have calculated wrong since I think we could use couple more in the north.

"Comical Ali" [:D]

Smeulders: I noticed that too but really hard pinpoint what the cause is. The fatigue really can cause harm with AE and I can say that leaders really matter in this version too.

[aztez]

China (february 1st and 2nd 1942)


I did an gamble near Nanyang. These troops have trying to enter the base for numerous turns only to have their destination "reset" by land and air bombings.

These troops were 8 miles away from the city before the last turn and had combat orders. So I changed it to MOVE command in order to enter the city.

Unfortunately enemy launched an ground offensive and needless to say I got burned.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 86,46

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 37208 troops, 341 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1036

Defending force 28815 troops, 232 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 637

Japanese adjusted assault: 842

Allied adjusted defense: 51

Japanese assault odds: 16 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), disruption(-), fatigue(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
892 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 76 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled


Allied ground losses:
15339 casualties reported
Squads: 190 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 520 destroyed, 45 disabled
Engineers: 15 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 10 (8 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
3rd Division
20th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th RGC Temp. Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
13th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps

Sometimes things work in your favour and sometimes they don't. As said this was an calculated risk which backfired this time around.

Another thing I'am starting to do is to sent in battered low av units into suicide combat missions. This way I get them back 1/3 strenght which is way more than their av is currently.

[aztez]

Mindanao (february 1st and 2nd 1942)

At Manila the final assault is about to begin. IJA entered the hex with 39 units and we can expect shock assaults until the base is overrun. The positive news have come from Mindanao.

In the past few days we hit few tranports there.

These hits were made by those ABDA divebombers. I'am actually starting like them a lot! To be honest these guys are the only ones hitting anything at the moment.

Keep in mind that these guys just toasted quite a few transports near Samarinda. They are well worth the Medal of Honour title.

The following ships were hit:

xAK Shinanogawa Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Shinryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Ohio Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAP Kamakura Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAP Asama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire

There were more ships shown on the combat.txt files but these were unharmed if this is to be believed. We all know the FOW so who knows.

Good stuff though and hoping to see even better results when we need it.

[aztez]

Christmas Island (february 3rd and 4th 1942)

At least we do not have guess anymore where the KB is located.

It showed up near Christmas Island and schewed up some transports unloading their supplies into the base. Luckily the troops were already unloaded so we just lost some supplies, merchants and destroyers.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island at 174,141

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 20,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
B5N2 Kate x 87
D3A1 Val x 59



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Sands, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Gilmer
xAK Clevedon, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AP President Jackson, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
AP Henderson, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AP Henry T. Allen, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Hatfield, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP President Monroe, Bomb hits 14, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Walke
xAK Don Isidro, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
15 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
18 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
13 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x D3A1 Val diving from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sands
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP President Jackson
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Don Isidro
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP President Monroe
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Clevedon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Christmas Island at 174,141

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36
B5N2 Kate x 98



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed, 17 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Gilmer
DD Ward
xAK Unicoi, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Sands, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP President Jackson, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Manulani
DD Walke
xAK Makena
DD Hatfield, heavy fires, heavy damage
AP Henderson, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Makawao, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Talbot



Aircraft Attacking:
16 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
16 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 18000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sands
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP President Jackson
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Hatfield
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AP Henderson


It seems that this raid/operation included CV Akagi, CV Kaga, CV Hiryu and CV Zuikaku.

I do not understand what he wants here. I mean he has yet to enter Java area and he has his carriers assaulting in CenPac and southern pacific.

Either I'am not getting the big picture or Dave is confident that his lba figters/bombers can do the "dirty" job at ABDA theatre.