Welcome readers! In this AAR, I want to consult with YOU, the reader, on best strategy and tactics to expand the Empire. That is why this AAR is entitled “Conference of the Supreme War Council”! You are in my Supreme War Council.
During WWII, the Supreme War Council served as the effective government of Japan. At the time of Pearl Harbor, the Supreme War Council consisted of:
Prime Minister: Hideki Tojo
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Shigenori Togo
Minister of War: Hideki Tojo
Minister of the Navy: Adm. Shimada Shigetaro
Chief of Army Gen. Staff: Gen. Sugiyama Hajime
Chief of Navy Gen. Staff: Adm. Nagano Osami
After working with John 3rd over in WITP on a 2x2 AAR, this will be my first 1x1 AAR. I am playing my old opponent Erik, AKA Hemajor, whom I am currently in 3/20/1945 in our WITP. He is an obviously reliable, and good opponent, particularly with airpower.
So kicking off, what are our main objectives and initial moves?
Grand Strategy
I want to think ahead a little bit after the conquest of the SRA to where the major push will be. The key questions, aside from commitment of KB, will be where to move the bulk of the IJA, particularly given the resource shipping requirements in AE. From a broad standpoint, our objectives will be:
PHASE 1: CONQUEST OF SRA
*Conquest of Singapore as fast as possible; this is priority #1. Want to complete by 2/1/42.
*Early landing on Java, with follow-on cleanup against rest of DEI. Want to reduce DEI to mostly clean-up operations by 2/15/42.
*Strong initial landings on Luzon; however, we will be withdrawing most of the infantry in February for our Phase 2 objectives, leaving a screen to starve whatever Alamo the Allies have there
*In SW Pac and Cent Pac, we will be mostly securing a defensive perimeter. KB will be primarily committed to support landings at Rabaul, Port Moresby, and potentially Noumea or Fiji. The objective here is to deny the use of offensive ports to the Allies, and delay their advance.
PHASE 2: 4/42 and BEYOND
*Our Phase 2 objective is AUSTRALIA. Why? Well I haven’t tried Australia before in WITP, so what the heck. This of course is subject to change, (and I would like to know exactly what the extras the Allies get if I invade). But conquest of this nation is our primary objective. If we meet our Phase 1 objectives, we plan to land in force at Perth and the East cost no later than 4/1/42, with follow-on forces committed and rolling by 5/1/42.
Our preliminary plan will include the landing and securing of Darwin, followed by using the 25th Army from Malaya to land at Perth, and the 16th Army from Luzon to land on the East Coast of Australia, starting with the Townsville area.
Note on House Rules
Erik is a good opponent, and we may include future house rules. At present, however, the only house rules are certain restrictions on Thai, Chinese forces to conform to mostly historical usage. I cannot use the RTA to invade Malaya, and can only enter Eastern Burma. Allies are restricted to the amount of Chinese troops that can enter Burma.
Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Initial Strategy: Southern Area
Burma
Initial plan is for a drive from Rahaeng, over to Moulmein, and up the coast. All 15th Army elements in Indochina (55th Div), will move by rail to Pisanuloke, and march to Moulmein. We will commit the 33rd Division from Japan to this campaign.
RTA will march into the Shan states toward Tayaung Gyi.
Initial Objective: Just getting land forces into Burma takes about 2 weeks overland. I expect the initial stand to be at Pegu, otherwise we will try to hold and outflank Moulmein.
Allocated Forces:15th Army: 55th Div, 33rd Div (from Japan), supporting tanks and Artillery
I am committing fairly minimal forces to Burma; I need to watch this theater, as this area has the potential to frustrate me. Closing the Burma road is a must, and creating a buffer against the British also very key.
Malaya
Initial Objectives: Get ashore, and move air support units from Kompong Trach to Kota Bharu as quick as possible. Other base units will move by rail to Alor Star; this will get consistent aircover over the Malay peninsula. After that, move as fast as possible to Singapore. The early fall of Singapore is my #1 objective, as that will free troops to move to Burma, Java, and finally Australia as necessary.
Allocated Forces:
25th Army: 18th Div, 5th Div, Imperial Guards Div, 2nd Div (from Japan), with follow-on forces consisting of 21st Div (Shanghai). Supporting Tanks (4 Rgts), and artillery.
That’s 4, then 5 divisions; should be enough to clear this early.
Burma
Initial plan is for a drive from Rahaeng, over to Moulmein, and up the coast. All 15th Army elements in Indochina (55th Div), will move by rail to Pisanuloke, and march to Moulmein. We will commit the 33rd Division from Japan to this campaign.
RTA will march into the Shan states toward Tayaung Gyi.
Initial Objective: Just getting land forces into Burma takes about 2 weeks overland. I expect the initial stand to be at Pegu, otherwise we will try to hold and outflank Moulmein.
Allocated Forces:15th Army: 55th Div, 33rd Div (from Japan), supporting tanks and Artillery
I am committing fairly minimal forces to Burma; I need to watch this theater, as this area has the potential to frustrate me. Closing the Burma road is a must, and creating a buffer against the British also very key.
Malaya
Initial Objectives: Get ashore, and move air support units from Kompong Trach to Kota Bharu as quick as possible. Other base units will move by rail to Alor Star; this will get consistent aircover over the Malay peninsula. After that, move as fast as possible to Singapore. The early fall of Singapore is my #1 objective, as that will free troops to move to Burma, Java, and finally Australia as necessary.
Allocated Forces:
25th Army: 18th Div, 5th Div, Imperial Guards Div, 2nd Div (from Japan), with follow-on forces consisting of 21st Div (Shanghai). Supporting Tanks (4 Rgts), and artillery.
That’s 4, then 5 divisions; should be enough to clear this early.
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
South China Sea
Initial Objectives: There is an invasion force headed to Miri, so we’ll go ahead with that to get a base established on Borneo. We are loading up a support force at Saigon to land immediately after the invasion. After Miri, we will land almost immediately at Singkawang; forces are already loading at Saigon and Camranh, and will be covered by BBs brought over from the Malayan coast.
After establishing a torpedo-capable base at Singkawang, we will land construction troops at BILLITON, to quickly establish an airstrip to cover a landing on JAVA at Merak, or Kalidjati. We are bypassing Palembang for now. This will be a quick thrust to get ground forces onto Java, and at least establish air cover over Java early.
Miri Invasion (sailed Dec 8th): 1/124th inf, 18th JAAF Unit
Singkawang Inv. (sailed Dec 8th): 2nd Yokosuka, III/124th inf, 11th Special BF, 1st JAAF Base Force
Allocated Naval Forces:
Bat Div 4 (Kongo, Haruna)
Baby KB will be sent to cover Java landing after “Phillipine” roundup
Cruiser and DD Divisions
Southern SRA/DEI
This is the push that I have had to put some thought into. I think isolation of Java is very important to a quick conquest of the SRA, and toward that end a push toward Ambon/Kendari/Timor serves to cut Allied transport between Oz and Java. It will also bring about an early move to Australia. Given that, I have chosen to invest some resources in this area, not easy considering that you don’t really start with much at Palau.
Allied ground forces in this area are weak, so we don’t need a ton of extra ground units to make headway. We do lack logistical tail, so to his end I have ordered the following support units to Palau:
FUEL and SUPPLY convoys from Japan
AIR HQ and Construction Troops from Formosa
BASE FORCES from Japan
Naval Support, including a Car Div 2 (Soryu, Hiryu), plus BB support arriving in 2 weeks
I am diverting the 2 SNLF scheduled to land at Legaspi, to AMBON. There I will establish a forward base, and push further once I get CV and BB support.
Initial Objectives: Ambon will be taken by the 2 SNLF diverted from Legaspi. 16th Nav Gd at Samah, initially planned for Ternate, will instead land at Jolo; a follow-on base force will follow. The Davao troops will go ahead and land at Davao, though they will be prepped immediately after landing for Koepang. I have prepped further forces at Camranh, Samah for Samarinda and Balikpapan, as stepping stones to Java.
The other elements of the 56th Division, which start the game headed toward Patani from the Inland Sea, are being prepped for Soerbaya, and will head initially to Palau. These troops will be half of the Java invasion force, the other half being the 21st Mixed Brigade and support troops from Saigon.
Initial Objectives: There is an invasion force headed to Miri, so we’ll go ahead with that to get a base established on Borneo. We are loading up a support force at Saigon to land immediately after the invasion. After Miri, we will land almost immediately at Singkawang; forces are already loading at Saigon and Camranh, and will be covered by BBs brought over from the Malayan coast.
After establishing a torpedo-capable base at Singkawang, we will land construction troops at BILLITON, to quickly establish an airstrip to cover a landing on JAVA at Merak, or Kalidjati. We are bypassing Palembang for now. This will be a quick thrust to get ground forces onto Java, and at least establish air cover over Java early.
Miri Invasion (sailed Dec 8th): 1/124th inf, 18th JAAF Unit
Singkawang Inv. (sailed Dec 8th): 2nd Yokosuka, III/124th inf, 11th Special BF, 1st JAAF Base Force
Allocated Naval Forces:
Bat Div 4 (Kongo, Haruna)
Baby KB will be sent to cover Java landing after “Phillipine” roundup
Cruiser and DD Divisions
Southern SRA/DEI
This is the push that I have had to put some thought into. I think isolation of Java is very important to a quick conquest of the SRA, and toward that end a push toward Ambon/Kendari/Timor serves to cut Allied transport between Oz and Java. It will also bring about an early move to Australia. Given that, I have chosen to invest some resources in this area, not easy considering that you don’t really start with much at Palau.
Allied ground forces in this area are weak, so we don’t need a ton of extra ground units to make headway. We do lack logistical tail, so to his end I have ordered the following support units to Palau:
FUEL and SUPPLY convoys from Japan
AIR HQ and Construction Troops from Formosa
BASE FORCES from Japan
Naval Support, including a Car Div 2 (Soryu, Hiryu), plus BB support arriving in 2 weeks
I am diverting the 2 SNLF scheduled to land at Legaspi, to AMBON. There I will establish a forward base, and push further once I get CV and BB support.
Initial Objectives: Ambon will be taken by the 2 SNLF diverted from Legaspi. 16th Nav Gd at Samah, initially planned for Ternate, will instead land at Jolo; a follow-on base force will follow. The Davao troops will go ahead and land at Davao, though they will be prepped immediately after landing for Koepang. I have prepped further forces at Camranh, Samah for Samarinda and Balikpapan, as stepping stones to Java.
The other elements of the 56th Division, which start the game headed toward Patani from the Inland Sea, are being prepped for Soerbaya, and will head initially to Palau. These troops will be half of the Java invasion force, the other half being the 21st Mixed Brigade and support troops from Saigon.
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Luzon
The plan on Luzon is to land in force early, on both Northern and Southern Luzon. The reason to land in force south of Manila is that it will force the Allies to commit to either Clark or Manila as a place to stand. If I am the Allies I pick Manila, but we’ll see what happens.
Northern Luzon: 48th Division and 65th Bde to land at Lingayen; SNLF units plus base force and construction troops at Appari.
Southern Luzon: 16th Division (-)
Follow-On Forces: 38th Division from Hong Kong, 4th Division from Japan
The initial objective is to drive the Allies into a single base. Once that is accomplished, I intend to leave a smaller screening force, and bring everyone else off Luzon for a follow-on objective. As long as I can keep the Allies bottled up, they will rot on Luzon.
Southwest Pacific
The Guam Invasion force, consisting of 144th Regt and 15th Base Force, will be re-diverted to land at Rabaul. Guam can be cleaned up another day. Overall, the SW Pacific will be on a bit of a shoestring until I can free up some infantry from the SRA. The boys in the 144th are going to be busy, after clearing Rabaul, we are going to load up for PM as soon as they are adequately rested. I would like to have Rabaul secured by X-Mas, and PM by NLT 1/15/42.
The plan on Luzon is to land in force early, on both Northern and Southern Luzon. The reason to land in force south of Manila is that it will force the Allies to commit to either Clark or Manila as a place to stand. If I am the Allies I pick Manila, but we’ll see what happens.
Northern Luzon: 48th Division and 65th Bde to land at Lingayen; SNLF units plus base force and construction troops at Appari.
Southern Luzon: 16th Division (-)
Follow-On Forces: 38th Division from Hong Kong, 4th Division from Japan
The initial objective is to drive the Allies into a single base. Once that is accomplished, I intend to leave a smaller screening force, and bring everyone else off Luzon for a follow-on objective. As long as I can keep the Allies bottled up, they will rot on Luzon.
Southwest Pacific
The Guam Invasion force, consisting of 144th Regt and 15th Base Force, will be re-diverted to land at Rabaul. Guam can be cleaned up another day. Overall, the SW Pacific will be on a bit of a shoestring until I can free up some infantry from the SRA. The boys in the 144th are going to be busy, after clearing Rabaul, we are going to load up for PM as soon as they are adequately rested. I would like to have Rabaul secured by X-Mas, and PM by NLT 1/15/42.
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Naval Planning
I have included some of the Naval planning in other posts, but this is a summary.
KIDO BUTAI will be divided after Pearl Harbor; this is the only point in the game I plan to divide KB, with the Allies having only 3 CVs in the Pacific at start, I feel you can get away with it early.
Car Divs 1 and 5, (Akagi, Kaga, Shokaku, Zuikaku), will replenish at Truk, and sweep the Bismarck and Coral Seas ahead of our landings at Rabaul. This will neutralize any threat from USN CV’s coming down there, or the ANZAC cruisers.
Car Div 2 (Soryu, Hiryu) will divert north, pound Wake Is for a turn to soften up defenses, replenish at Truk, then move to the southern DEI, roughly to Aru Sea, to support operations there, and stop fuel from being pulled from DEI to OZ.
Baby KB and numerous small CL TF’s will first participate in the Phillipines roundup of fleeing Allied shipping; once that is complete, Baby KB will move to Miri, and support landings on Java, while many CLs and DDs will move to TRUK to establish a surface fleet in that area, and begin to help in the outer perimeter.
Ise and Hyuga will be send to Palau, to support southern DEI landings. Nagato and Mutsu are heading to TRUK, to provide BB cover in the Solomons. Fuso and Yamashiro will move to Camranh Bay, to provide shore bombardment for landings on Java.
Truk is short of surface fleet units in general, additional CLs and DDs will divert there
I have included some of the Naval planning in other posts, but this is a summary.
KIDO BUTAI will be divided after Pearl Harbor; this is the only point in the game I plan to divide KB, with the Allies having only 3 CVs in the Pacific at start, I feel you can get away with it early.
Car Divs 1 and 5, (Akagi, Kaga, Shokaku, Zuikaku), will replenish at Truk, and sweep the Bismarck and Coral Seas ahead of our landings at Rabaul. This will neutralize any threat from USN CV’s coming down there, or the ANZAC cruisers.
Car Div 2 (Soryu, Hiryu) will divert north, pound Wake Is for a turn to soften up defenses, replenish at Truk, then move to the southern DEI, roughly to Aru Sea, to support operations there, and stop fuel from being pulled from DEI to OZ.
Baby KB and numerous small CL TF’s will first participate in the Phillipines roundup of fleeing Allied shipping; once that is complete, Baby KB will move to Miri, and support landings on Java, while many CLs and DDs will move to TRUK to establish a surface fleet in that area, and begin to help in the outer perimeter.
Ise and Hyuga will be send to Palau, to support southern DEI landings. Nagato and Mutsu are heading to TRUK, to provide BB cover in the Solomons. Fuso and Yamashiro will move to Camranh Bay, to provide shore bombardment for landings on Java.
Truk is short of surface fleet units in general, additional CLs and DDs will divert there
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Dec 7, 8th Combat Report: East Wind, Rain
We did a HISTORICAL first turn, so the typical landings on Batan, Kota Bharu, etc. I won’t be using many Combat.txt files in this AAR, but will attach the most important, including the PH attack:
We hit Pearl Harbor over two days. Overall I think this is a disappointment. I did set the Vals to hit the repair yard and airstrip on Dec 8th, but we lost 15 planes Dec 8th, so I think we’re done after two days. We’ll see.
Dec 7th:
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AD Rigel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
BB California, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 8, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Tangier
DM Pruitt
AV Wright
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CM Oglala
CL Helena, Bomb hits 2
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Pelias, Bomb hits 1
DD Phelps, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Patterson
DMS Trevor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Henley, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Only 1 lousy DD confirmed on Turn 1! We didn’t spot Pennsylvania on Dec 8th though, so chances are she went down:
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 1
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AE Mauna Loa, Bomb hits 1
CA San Francisco
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Overall, a disappointment. So far I think we sank 1 BB (Pennsylvania), and a couple others took a ton of damage and hopefully will go down (Nevada took 15 bombs and 4 torps according to our fliers, TN, CA, WV all took over 10 bombs and 3 torps). I ran this a couple times against AI, this is the worst outcome I have seen. C’est la guerre!
Off MALAYA, our bombers did run into Force Z, and this was a better result; BC Repulse was confirmed sunk, and PoW ate 5 torpedos and caught fire/heavy damage; not sure if she made it back to Singapore or not, but I will consider her scratched for the DEI campaign. That is a relief!
Next Steps:
KB: I am splitting KB; Car Div 2 will head north toward Wake, and to cover the valuable AOs (they are also low on torps). The remainder of KB, which has all their torps, will do one more attack on PH before heading West. I don’t want to deplete all my torps at PH, or leave the AOs exposed.
Elsewhere: Numerous invasion TF’s are loading up or loaded, and steaming toward initial destinations. The next landings will be at Apparri, Wake, and Miri.
Khota Bharu: Falls instantly on Dec 8th on first attack; no surrenders though
Batan Is: Falls of course, we are re-loading these troops for Appari.
*Bettys and Nells wiped out 5 transports loading at Georgetown; troops were loading up. They shot down 4 bombers during the battle.
*Bettys and Nells hit 2 AOs that were loading in Manila harbor, no doubt keeping fuel away from the Empire! Both went down.
*Port Attack on Hong Kong nets several hits on Transports docked there; several are on-fire/burning. DDs are gone though.
We did a HISTORICAL first turn, so the typical landings on Batan, Kota Bharu, etc. I won’t be using many Combat.txt files in this AAR, but will attach the most important, including the PH attack:
We hit Pearl Harbor over two days. Overall I think this is a disappointment. I did set the Vals to hit the repair yard and airstrip on Dec 8th, but we lost 15 planes Dec 8th, so I think we’re done after two days. We’ll see.
Dec 7th:
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 13, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AD Rigel, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 2, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
BB California, Bomb hits 9, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 12, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Jarvis, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 8, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
AV Tangier
DM Pruitt
AV Wright
CA San Francisco, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
CM Oglala
CL Helena, Bomb hits 2
DD Shaw, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Aylwin, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AV Curtiss, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AS Pelias, Bomb hits 1
DD Phelps, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Patterson
DMS Trevor, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Henley, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Only 1 lousy DD confirmed on Turn 1! We didn’t spot Pennsylvania on Dec 8th though, so chances are she went down:
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
BB California, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 4, Torpedo hits 2
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AV Tangier, Bomb hits 1
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AE Mauna Loa, Bomb hits 1
CA San Francisco
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CA New Orleans, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Overall, a disappointment. So far I think we sank 1 BB (Pennsylvania), and a couple others took a ton of damage and hopefully will go down (Nevada took 15 bombs and 4 torps according to our fliers, TN, CA, WV all took over 10 bombs and 3 torps). I ran this a couple times against AI, this is the worst outcome I have seen. C’est la guerre!
Off MALAYA, our bombers did run into Force Z, and this was a better result; BC Repulse was confirmed sunk, and PoW ate 5 torpedos and caught fire/heavy damage; not sure if she made it back to Singapore or not, but I will consider her scratched for the DEI campaign. That is a relief!
Next Steps:
KB: I am splitting KB; Car Div 2 will head north toward Wake, and to cover the valuable AOs (they are also low on torps). The remainder of KB, which has all their torps, will do one more attack on PH before heading West. I don’t want to deplete all my torps at PH, or leave the AOs exposed.
Elsewhere: Numerous invasion TF’s are loading up or loaded, and steaming toward initial destinations. The next landings will be at Apparri, Wake, and Miri.
Khota Bharu: Falls instantly on Dec 8th on first attack; no surrenders though
Batan Is: Falls of course, we are re-loading these troops for Appari.
*Bettys and Nells wiped out 5 transports loading at Georgetown; troops were loading up. They shot down 4 bombers during the battle.
*Bettys and Nells hit 2 AOs that were loading in Manila harbor, no doubt keeping fuel away from the Empire! Both went down.
*Port Attack on Hong Kong nets several hits on Transports docked there; several are on-fire/burning. DDs are gone though.
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ny59giants
- Posts: 9902
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 pm
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Brad,
I'm glad you are taking the plunge before I do. After Tracker - AE comes out in the next week, I hope to join you.
Politcal Point Usage: You start out with 500 and get 50 per day. How are you going to use them?? You have various Infantry Groups in Japan that could be bought out within a week and loaded up on your xAK-t as they finish up the conversion process. The Guards Bde only needs another 4 days worth of PP before she could go. Either one would help your conquest of PM in 1/42.
Air HQs: Where are you sending them?? The HQ in Manchuria needs to head for the coast on turn one.
xAK to xAK-t conversation: How many and what class are you using??
Aircraft Production: I liked what you did in the 2x2 game with John 3rd and will be looking for your decisions here. [&o]
Zeros: Are you going to upgrade any of the Claudes on your CVL/CVE initially to be able to provide escort for your longer range TBs?? If so, which ones??
Australia?!? We are getting very ambitious to start with. [:D]
I'm glad you are taking the plunge before I do. After Tracker - AE comes out in the next week, I hope to join you.
Politcal Point Usage: You start out with 500 and get 50 per day. How are you going to use them?? You have various Infantry Groups in Japan that could be bought out within a week and loaded up on your xAK-t as they finish up the conversion process. The Guards Bde only needs another 4 days worth of PP before she could go. Either one would help your conquest of PM in 1/42.
Air HQs: Where are you sending them?? The HQ in Manchuria needs to head for the coast on turn one.
xAK to xAK-t conversation: How many and what class are you using??
Aircraft Production: I liked what you did in the 2x2 game with John 3rd and will be looking for your decisions here. [&o]
Zeros: Are you going to upgrade any of the Claudes on your CVL/CVE initially to be able to provide escort for your longer range TBs?? If so, which ones??
Australia?!? We are getting very ambitious to start with. [:D]
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[/center]RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Michael, good to hear from you! I will be reading your AAR, I don't have a monopoly on good ideas. Particularly in AE!
PP Usage: HR prevents moving Kwantung units without buying them. I intend initially to buy artillery out of Manchuria, then probably 2nd Air Div, then tanks, after that probably some infantry. But I like guns and tanks first. There are good infantry units in Home Islands though, I am prepping ALL of them ahead for distant targets.
Air HQ:
Agreed on 2nd Air Div. As for the rest, there is a stack at Takao at start. 1 is going to Singkawang, 1 to Ambon, 1 to Appari, 1 in reserve for now, probably to Samarinda.
So far I sent about 20 Aden-class to convert. I stopped there, as Shipyards are pretty full with AKE conversions (4 of them), and some PB conversions. I plan to convert more, that should take care of immediate needs. Not sure if Aden class is the "best", but I like standardization, and there are alot of them. Plus, they are pretty "average" in all atributes.
A/C Production:
I haven't figured this out yet. Initially, I am just doind the obvious:
Increasing Zero, Oscar (and yes, ordering supplies to Maebashi!)
Increasing Sally
Increasing Val, Kate (I know, Mabel is better, I just can't bring myself to do it)
Halting all R&D for models appearing in 1944 or later (let's wait!)
Halting obsolete models (Nate, Ida, Sonia, Hickory, etc)
Zero Upgrades:
On turn 1, I left Zuiho and Hosho in port, and set all their airgroups to "expand to fit ship". Turn 2, I upgraded all planes to Zeros/Kates. Hosho has a 20-plane airgroup now, not bad. That pretty much used up my spare Zeros.
PP Usage: HR prevents moving Kwantung units without buying them. I intend initially to buy artillery out of Manchuria, then probably 2nd Air Div, then tanks, after that probably some infantry. But I like guns and tanks first. There are good infantry units in Home Islands though, I am prepping ALL of them ahead for distant targets.
Air HQ:
Agreed on 2nd Air Div. As for the rest, there is a stack at Takao at start. 1 is going to Singkawang, 1 to Ambon, 1 to Appari, 1 in reserve for now, probably to Samarinda.
So far I sent about 20 Aden-class to convert. I stopped there, as Shipyards are pretty full with AKE conversions (4 of them), and some PB conversions. I plan to convert more, that should take care of immediate needs. Not sure if Aden class is the "best", but I like standardization, and there are alot of them. Plus, they are pretty "average" in all atributes.
A/C Production:
I haven't figured this out yet. Initially, I am just doind the obvious:
Increasing Zero, Oscar (and yes, ordering supplies to Maebashi!)
Increasing Sally
Increasing Val, Kate (I know, Mabel is better, I just can't bring myself to do it)
Halting all R&D for models appearing in 1944 or later (let's wait!)
Halting obsolete models (Nate, Ida, Sonia, Hickory, etc)
Zero Upgrades:
On turn 1, I left Zuiho and Hosho in port, and set all their airgroups to "expand to fit ship". Turn 2, I upgraded all planes to Zeros/Kates. Hosho has a 20-plane airgroup now, not bad. That pretty much used up my spare Zeros.
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Good luck Q-Ball, nice setup - count me as a reader.
"There’s no such thing as a bitter person who keeps the bitterness to himself.” ~ Erwin Lutzer
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Canoerebel
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Good luck, Q-Ball. I'll be following and learning.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
GREAT NEWS !!!!
Will it be on Monday ?[:D] But honestly, thanks a lot - I really cannot play this game any more without the tracker [&o]
@ Q-Ball - sorry about the hijack ! Came here and will come back to read your AAR [:)]
Hartwig
ORIGINAL: ny59giants
I'm glad you are taking the plunge before I do. After Tracker - AE comes out in the next week, I hope to join you.
Will it be on Monday ?[:D] But honestly, thanks a lot - I really cannot play this game any more without the tracker [&o]
@ Q-Ball - sorry about the hijack ! Came here and will come back to read your AAR [:)]
Hartwig
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Nice AAR and I love that picture of the Japanese fleet at anchor. What Harbor is that?
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
This should be interesting.
I am very much interested in hearing your thoughts about the shipping requirements needed for such an ambitious operation. Do you think there'll be enough shipping around for the invasion, follow-up reinforcement convoys and the industry?
A quick check of the editor revealed that the Allied reinforcements in case of a southern Australia invasion in scen 1 consist of:
44th British Div
2nd British Para Bde
1st AA Bde
7th SA Armoured Bde
9th Australian Div
27th Rhodesian Bde
Natal Mtd Rifles Rgt
and quite a few reinforcements are added to the British and Aussie device pools
I am very much interested in hearing your thoughts about the shipping requirements needed for such an ambitious operation. Do you think there'll be enough shipping around for the invasion, follow-up reinforcement convoys and the industry?
A quick check of the editor revealed that the Allied reinforcements in case of a southern Australia invasion in scen 1 consist of:
44th British Div
2nd British Para Bde
1st AA Bde
7th SA Armoured Bde
9th Australian Div
27th Rhodesian Bde
Natal Mtd Rifles Rgt
and quite a few reinforcements are added to the British and Aussie device pools
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ny59giants
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
I would spent the 71 PP to buy out the 29th JNAF at Nagasaki relatively soon. As this is only one of two that come with naval support. The other being the 35th JNAF at Tokyo which is already assigned to the Southern Army.
I think the Tanks would work out well going to Java before beings used in Australia.
Subs: I think 2 to 4 operating off the NW corner of Australia should make it costly to transport fuel from the SRA.
xAK to AKE conversation: Are you going to do a few of these??
I think the Tanks would work out well going to Java before beings used in Australia.
Subs: I think 2 to 4 operating off the NW corner of Australia should make it costly to transport fuel from the SRA.
xAK to AKE conversation: Are you going to do a few of these??
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[/center]RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
I'm not 100% married to Australia, subject to change at this point obviously, who knows how much momentum I will have left. The large number of reinforcements the Allies get for that are daunting, so it's subject to change, but that's what you guys are for. Have to aim high for your goals!
The Shipping requirements for Australia would be pretty serious, that's one issue, though that's a problem no matter what your phase-2 target: India, or NZ, or Fiji, or whatever.
Michael, to answer your question, 4-5 AKEs are converted right away; I think these ships are going to be important.
The Shipping requirements for Australia would be pretty serious, that's one issue, though that's a problem no matter what your phase-2 target: India, or NZ, or Fiji, or whatever.
Michael, to answer your question, 4-5 AKEs are converted right away; I think these ships are going to be important.
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Mike Solli
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Q-Ball, just noticed this AAR. Should be fun.
One thing I had heard that may be of use. Do you have a mission for the 1st Raiding Regiment yet? It's in Kagoshima with a sentai of transports. If your opponent decides on a scorched earth policy in Burma, you can fly some in and take the base. Then fly in a garrison and supply and fly out the paratroopers. That'll prevent you from getting some torched bases.
One thing I had heard that may be of use. Do you have a mission for the 1st Raiding Regiment yet? It's in Kagoshima with a sentai of transports. If your opponent decides on a scorched earth policy in Burma, you can fly some in and take the base. Then fly in a garrison and supply and fly out the paratroopers. That'll prevent you from getting some torched bases.
Created by the amazing Dixie
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Q-Ball, just noticed this AAR. Should be fun.
One thing I had heard that may be of use. Do you have a mission for the 1st Raiding Regiment yet? It's in Kagoshima with a sentai of transports. If your opponent decides on a scorched earth policy in Burma, you can fly some in and take the base. Then fly in a garrison and supply and fly out the paratroopers. That'll prevent you from getting some torched bases.
Great Minds Think alike! All Paras are prepping for Rangoon. Once we take Rangoon, it will be Batavia/Soerbaya.
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ny59giants
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
Phase 2: I look more at northern Australia and a short hook into the area around Calcutta with a possible capture of Ceylon as being the norm for Japanese expansion. The eastern Pacific has so many bases now, I'm afraid to put too many troops in that area right now.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
It'll be interesting to see how SoPac and CenPac are handled in AE as compared to WitP and real life:
Tarawa: 4,000 defenders (real life), 100,00 defenders (WitP), ? (AE)
Makin: 200 defenders (real life), 25,000 defenders (WitP), ? (AE)
Guadalanal: 8,000 defenders (real life), irrelevant, because I never went close to the Canal in my games, ? (AE)
Iwo Jima: 20,000 defenders (real life), 125,000 defenders (vs. Miller, WitP) or 5,000 defenders (vs. John II, WitP), ? (AE)
Tarawa: 4,000 defenders (real life), 100,00 defenders (WitP), ? (AE)
Makin: 200 defenders (real life), 25,000 defenders (WitP), ? (AE)
Guadalanal: 8,000 defenders (real life), irrelevant, because I never went close to the Canal in my games, ? (AE)
Iwo Jima: 20,000 defenders (real life), 125,000 defenders (vs. Miller, WitP) or 5,000 defenders (vs. John II, WitP), ? (AE)
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
RE: Conference of the Supreme War Council: Q-Ball (J) v. Hemajor (A)
ORIGINAL: ny59giants
Phase 2: I look more at northern Australia and a short hook into the area around Calcutta with a possible capture of Ceylon as being the norm for Japanese expansion. The eastern Pacific has so many bases now, I'm afraid to put too many troops in that area right now.
Moving on Ceylon doesn't trigger any "extras" for the Allies. Calcutta DOES. That's a factor as well.
I agree on East Pac; all those little islands. Pretty much just boils down to who controls the air and ocean, lose control of that, and your troops are as good as dead. The only good news is that they make lousy platforms to advance from in AE; it's not like the Allies can launch an invasion FROM those islands.
Right now pondering a Day 3 attack on Pearl Harbor. Yesterday, we lost 10 aircraft, to a fairly heavy CAP (37 P-40s). Shokaku and Akagi have full torps, Kaga and Zuikaku are down to one round. I am inclined to order an attack, but will probably sent NO TORPS on Kaga and Zui's planes, would prefer to have a round available for the trip to Truk, just in case. One more day would certainly be it. Car Div 2 is already meeting the AOs to refuel and sail toward Wake; they are down to 18 torps ea. anyway.