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

[seydlitz_slith]

The unknown TF is probably his oilers. The KB and the battleships can't operate that far south without having to refuel. If you had a way to hit it, you could really ruin his day.

[Rob Brennan UK]

Interesting that he's not bombing with Kates ?? they would be the best choice and fly above the worse of the flak that seems to be heavily damaging his Vals. V Odd. And If that is the entire KB he's really short on planes. If the B17's are getting shot up over suvali can they be used to ferry eng squads into pago ? i'm not sure that possible in AE but worth a thought.

Care to try and run a single AK into Pago and make some Pt's ? Most likely suicide i agree but its only one AKL and your not short of those [:D]

LoBaron .. /blush .. hehe

Edit .. seydlitz has a v good point . any subs you can divert there ?

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: Rob Brennan UK

Interesting that he's not bombing with Kates ?? they would be the best choice and fly above the worse of the flak that seems to be heavily damaging his Vals. V Odd. And If that is the entire KB he's really short on planes. If the B17's are getting shot up over suvali can they be used to ferry eng squads into pago ? i'm not sure that possible in AE but worth a thought.

Care to try and run a single AK into Pago and make some Pt's ? Most likely suicide i agree but its only one AKL and your not short of those [:D]

LoBaron .. /blush .. hehe

Edit .. seydlitz has a v good point . any subs you can divert there ?

Yeah ok Rob i guess i play against the AI too much [X(]
i guess Kates on naval would be the end of any CV TF closing in right?

still i think from the japanese side its changing a strategical advantage into a tactical one. his carriers are well out of long term supply so losses for him could
have more impact on the next year.

and his most focused naval position is well known.

[aztez]

seydlitz: I think on the same line. These must be his oilers since their position doesn't make sense otherwise.

I will check when turn arrives what can be done offensively here. I did send few submarines towards this area and they should arrive there shortly.

Btw, the submarine campaign is slowly getting underway. We actually hit AK's near Japan in past few days. It seems that Dave is building up his ASW efforts here. Currently just a few submarines patrolling but more are enroute.

I'am actually thinking about making an Midway an large submarine base since it cuts down range to the patrolling zones. Basically all I need is AS and larger port than we are set go there.

Rob: It is odd. I doubt he is short of them though otherwise he would not be doing operations at all. Those ac's must be on the naval attack only mode. That is the only explanation I have for this.

Those B17's are getting mildly damaged nothin bad though. Dave is covering Savaii with CAP from his carriers.

I haven't actually checked whether these could be used as troop transports. They might be able to fly in troops from Christmas Island and Tahiti. Need to check on this once the turn arrives.

Intresting to see what kind resistance those veteran P40E's can do too. These guys already went head to head with KB earlier at Suva.

Oh, no need to make suicide AKL runs since I have some 90 000 supply points stored at Pago Pago. Actually been making few PT's already but these were blown apart immediately.

Few submarines are on their way towards those oilers. I'am looking at all the possibilities at the moment though.

LoBaron: Yes, most likely Kate's are set on naval strike only. Those Val losses are mounting though so I wonder what he is doing next.

Personally I think he needs to close down the airfield within next turn or he will start getting short on assaulting ac's.

It is a diffrent game when you enter the world of PBEM.

Hopefully, these losses will hurt him in the longrun. I have had extensive lessons on his playing style though and he does not take crazy chances. Quite the opposite since he does calculate every single move he makes.

[loricas]

Level bomber can transport supply not unit: patrol float plane or transport A/C only

[Rob Brennan UK]

I'am actually thinking about making an Midway an large submarine base since it cuts down range to the patrolling zones. Basically all I need is AS and larger port than we are set go there.

only way you can do that is get an AS thats below the port level , not as easy as WITP sadly

LoBaron . i've not tried PBEM on AE yet , did a few games in WITP with varying success ((i.e japanese bailouts) and i had to stop vs 2ndACR for medical reasons) best game is still in the WITP AAR vs littlejoe. if you can muster a japanese game im in for a long term game. [8D]

Aztez . i lost noumea (shame) to the AI on ironman .. getting it back mid april mind you. but noumea doesnt really matter as much as it did in witp . Suva matters a LOT. consider it your dagger into the japanese outer periphery [:D].. i.e keep suva and re invade canton and page in japanese hands is cut off.

anyhoo TY

[LoBaron]

Hm if thats an invitation i definitely will think about it. There are some things i have to do first though.
- get AE
- id at least do a 1-2 months against the AI to get my feeling back on how the japanese economy is
 working
- id have to think about an avatar unless i want to lose the propaganda war right from the start [:D]

aztez what happened to the second sub that was hanging round the KB? got sunk? i like the idea of
forming a wolfpack round the IJN CV´s...

edit: what the hell is a 'VC'...maybe a vice carrier?...sometimes i love my typos...

[aztez]

loricas: So, it seems. I actually didn't remember this since I rarely use aircraft to move troops around.

It seems that this have changed from the witp classic.

Btw, is your PBEM game already ongoing?

Rob: I think the AI is more stubborn this time around.

I actually haven't played vs AI much since it was PBEM all the way from the start. I will start one vs allied AI when I get the freetime to do so.

I don't know. I mean Noumea is nice base to have since it opents up the Solomons. It also can be mutually supported from Efate etc.

Personally I would rather hold on New Caledonia than Fiji's. I mean from Fiji's it is still long way into Solomons or any significant areas.

Oh, Canton Island. That base has horrific tales coming from the witp classic. I think we both had few fights there. It is diffrent though with the AE. I mean just 6000 men can garrison the base so it is not as vital as it used to be,

LoBaron: That submarine got hit by an depth charge. The damage was too severe so the submarine is on its way into Pearl Harbour.

Wolfpack might work againts enemy carriers/battleships but againts normal shipping I think they are waste of time.

Unfortunately we do not have adequate amount of submarines in the Samoa Island region so the wolfpack idea cannot be executed this time around.

Seems that we might see an PBEM introducing you and Rob. That ought to be fun game if you guys get around to it. Good luck if you guys choose to go forward with the idea.

[aztez]

China (april 10th and 11th 1942)

The gigantic battles in the northern china continue.

Dave launched two separate ground assaults againts our fortifications south of Sian.

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

Ground combat at 84,42

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 93905 troops, 746 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 3048

Defending force 54072 troops, 342 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1190

Japanese adjusted assault: 902

Allied adjusted defense: 709

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3011 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 133 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 122 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 17 (0 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
6554 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 246 disabled
Non Combat: 38 destroyed, 157 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 21 disabled
Guns lost 10 (2 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Assaulting units:
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th/A Division
3rd Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Recon Regiment
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade
41st Division
13th Tank Regiment
4th Cavalry Brigade
37th Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
35th/B Division
26th Engineer Regiment
6th Division
35th/C Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
North China Area Army
1st Mortar Battalion
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
41st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/B Corps
38th New Chinese Division
57th Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/A Corps
8th Route Army
95th Chinese/B Corps
5th War Area
22nd Group Army
7th Group Army
21st Group Army
34th Group Army
20th Artillery Regiment
Red Chinese Army
1st Artillery Regiment
56th AT Gun Regiment

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

Ground combat at 84,42

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 90888 troops, 746 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 2881

Defending force 48916 troops, 338 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 937

Japanese adjusted assault: 432

Allied adjusted defense: 454

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1524 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 122 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3061 casualties reported
Squads: 94 destroyed, 289 disabled
Non Combat: 76 destroyed, 163 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Assaulting units:
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade
13th Tank Regiment
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
35th/A Division
41st Division
26th Recon Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
35th/B Division
7th Mongol Cavalry Division
26th Engineer Regiment
4th Cavalry Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Division
6th Division
35th/C Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
1st Mortar Battalion
North China Area Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
38th New Chinese Division
90th Chinese/A Corps
1st Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/B Corps
41st Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
8th Route Army
95th Chinese/B Corps
20th Artillery Regiment
21st Group Army
5th War Area
1st Artillery Regiment
34th Group Army
22nd Group Army
7th Group Army
Red Chinese Army
56th AT Gun Regiment

The losses are yet again horrific. Some of the chinese units are completely routed and are ordered to move back into Sian.

I wonder how long can he keep on pushing like this. Unfortunately not too many squads/armour destroyed yet again.

AVG was up againts Oscars this turn. We did not fair too good since those Oscars were set to sweep at 37 000 feet. That is above the maxium alltitude for P40E's.

[aztez]

Samoa Islands (april 10th and 11th 1942)


KB is still lurking around Savaii as you can see from the pic. Allthough last turn Dave did not launch anykind raids againts Pago Pago. Either these raids were cancelled by the game or he decieded that he had accomplished what he was aiming for.

BB Hiei and BB Kirishima however did bombard our defenders at Pago Pago. Hopefully these ships will be short of ammo soon. They are kind of "parked" there at the moment.

Dave also have landed engineers into Savaii. Last turn the airfield became operational and it seems he moved in some zero fighters.

I have send 6 more US submarines into the area. Hopefully we can distrubt his offensive operations with them too.

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: aztez

Samoa Islands (april 10th and 11th 1942)


KB is still lurking around Savaii as you can see from the pic. Allthough last turn Dave did not launch anykind raids againts Pago Pago. Either these raids were cancelled by the game or he decieded that he had accomplished what he was aiming for.

Id be careful with this assumption.
This could mean one or both of two other things:

- his vals are rested to provide maximum support for the invasion of Pago Pago
- he has a high ammount of damaged planes now and gives them some time off

which basically means this is not over. it would be a mistake just to take Savaii which could not hold out against
an attritioning effort originating from Pago. you can get more planes there, you can get them there faster than he can
and the range is short enough to bring even the shortest legged aliied fighter types into play.

Seems that we might see an PBEM introducing you and Rob. That ought to be fun game if you guys get around to it. Good luck if you guys choose to go forward with the idea.

We will see. the idea is still very fresh most of all because i havent even got AE yet.
which does not mean that im not interested. [:)]

[Streptokok]

I can't emember the poster who originally came up wih the idea that disbled squads suffer many more kills in combat is imo 100% correct.

I rambled about that in one post. I basicly bombard AI after the assult [:-] because then disabled infantry seems to get destroyed much easier. Bombing it with level bombers is nice too after the assault, much more destroyed squads that way.
Someone asked why do I complain about Jap Ida bombers not getting any real results as in they are susposed to keep troops in combat mode not in move mode, disrupt and fatigue, this is the reason as their attacks just generate disrup/fatig, I havent got any disabled or destroyed squads with Ida attacks. Is why they were promptly replaced with Lilly and Sally.
They do the job much better [&o]
Anyway, mauling a unit that has alot of disabled squads due to combat is sure to get its squads destroyed.

[Sardaukar]

Since ground combat is almost same as in WitP, disabled squads are almost as bad as destroyed, very vulnerable to destruction and do not contribute to combat. Plus they eat supply to get back. Destroyed squads eat supply AND preplacements.

I am not too worried about seeing attacker getting off "lighter" than defender, if defender loses more destroyed and attacker disabled. While first also depleting your pools, both mean "combat ineffective". Disabled squads cannot fight and they are extremely vulnerable to destruction in consequent combat too.

[aztez]

I did just recieved the combat file and run it. Oh, boy was the turn bad well to be honest it had disaster written all over it.

There has been so much talk on how hard it is for japan to advance due to the restrictions on economy, transport shipping etc. Well I have bought it so far but this turn sealed the issue for me and I think this is one big bubble waiting to be blown up.

Last turn saw the demise of yet another low experienced chinese stack and massive landings at Pago Pago. We are not even in summer of 1942 and japanese have pretty much sealed the deal in the southern pacific, burma, java, philippines, malaya and even the china is crumbling on its knees due to the new restrictions. That is blitzkrieg that even the germans would have proud of in WW2.

How is possible? Here are few views that you can agree or disagree. These are from allied perspective.

1. The nerfed allied fighter production. This is really bad since you do not have much. At the moment I have 3 operational US carriers and if I commit them into battle and we draw than that is an japanese victory since the depleted pools mean that those carriers are out of operations for months. ie. You cannot protect china if japanese bring in extra aircover etc, etc.

2. The ground combat with treats low experienced troops as ants. The best thing to do is to get out of the way with these troops thus meaning that run and hide until 1943 enters. There are plenty of good examples in this thread already. I have read the same kind of results in other threads too.

3. China. I already have said what is "wrong" with it and completely stand behind my words. It is actually quite "nerfed" for the allied side. You might have numbers but only thing they mean is that enemy will have more troops to kill.

...those are the main reasons. Now, as said this turn showed on what the japanese are capable of doing. I wonder how on earth can he push in 4 diffrent fronts with major troops. His pools propably are not even close to being "depleted". Or as I suspect Dave has calculated and decieded that the war of attrition is on his side. (which is absolutely true at the moment. Every ac he shoots down hurts me more than it does him)

..end of rant here now. I could go on for longer and more detailed issues but well... I doubt it is worth the effort or time consumed. It just amazes me what the japanese are capable of on such an early stage. I mean we are just at mid april 1942 for heavens sake.

I know I'am not the A class allied player but I can say that these results would not be even close with the witp classic. Not by an longshot.

Oh.. and hell no I'am not giving up. No, I need regroup and start thinking this game as Japanese blitzkrieg business. Thus meaning I propably will move everything back and wait for the date to enter 1943. There is not much sense to move troops into frontlines unless you can stack at least 1000av points into base. These should experienced troops too.

Utterly disappointed and frustrated with the previous turn of events. That kind of summarizes the deeper feelings.

LoBaron: The answer to that question is already in since I got the combat replay.

Massive enemy landings ongoing at Pago Pago. I mean massive to say at least.

More about in a bit but lets just say the war is going all wrong.

Streptokok: I actually got evidence on how disabled units are treated with new ground combat model. Dave assaulted the Sian region and stormed the hex. This was his 3rd constant assault here.

The losses were horrific for the chinese.

Sardaukar: Lets hope so but I think japanese can recover quite fast since they do have the upper hand in terms supplies in China. Those supplies will get those disabled units back into action swiftly.

I actually tried to withdraw those disabled units into Sian but I had no time. He just banged the door and it gave in on the 3rd try.

[aztez]

China (april 12th and 13th 1942)


The japanese conducted the 3rd consecutive assault againts our troops south of Sian.

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

Ground combat at 84,42

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 96672 troops, 784 guns, 315 vehicles, Assault Value = 2797

Defending force 44516 troops, 336 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 699

Japanese adjusted assault: 495

Allied adjusted defense: 187

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
1757 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 122 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 94 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Vehicles lost 42 (1 destroyed, 41 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
19049 casualties reported
Squads: 823 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 602 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 38 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 23 (23 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 18


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Cavalry Brigade
3rd Ching An Tui Brigade
41st Division
3rd Division
7th Mongol Cavalry Division
37th Division
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
6th Division
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
26th Engineer Regiment
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
13th Tank Regiment
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
26th Recon Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion
North China Area Army
52nd Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
8th Route Army
41st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
90th Chinese/B Corps
90th Chinese/A Corps
38th New Chinese Division
95th Chinese/B Corps
21st Group Army
5th War Area
Red Chinese Army
1st Artillery Regiment
20th Artillery Regiment
34th Group Army
22nd Group Army
7th Group Army
56th AT Gun Regiment

I had actually given orders to those badly disabled units to move to Sian. Unfortunately japanese had the strenght of doing this assault. I hoped they were in need of rest which really wasn't the case here.

We lost +800 squads and japanese lost 5 squads. What I can say another really bad result for us.

I wonder how much good does the 3500av points I have stacked in Sian do. Propably do not mount for much at all.

I guess we don't have to wait for long to find this out!

[aztez]

Samoa Islands (april 12th and 13th 1942)


The main objective here became very clear last turn. The KB covered Savaii invasion was secondary and only goal was to obtain operational airfield for his lba fighters.

Last turn begun with TF100 and TF149 unloading their amphibious units into Pago Pago shores.

Here are the actual list of events that took place here in past 2 days.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago

38 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Biyo Maru
CL Kiso
xAKL Batavia Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Genmei Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Sento Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Shuko Maru #5, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Sonan Maru #5
PB Shinko Maru #5
PB Santo Maru
PB Kyo Maru #8, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DMS W-19

Japanese ground losses:
78 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Pago Pago - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

100 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi
DD Asanagi
xAKL Tientsin Maru
xAKL Korei Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
xAKL Gyoun Maru
PB Uruboko Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
PB Shuko Maru #2
PB Kyo Maru #12, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Shosei Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
PB Kohuku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Aso Maru #3, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
PB Toshi Maru #2, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
PB Fukeui Maru #7
PB Fuji Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Chitose Maru
SC Ch 15, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
SC Ch 13, Shell hits 2

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


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Pago Pago

TF 149 troops unloading over beach at Pago Pago, 148,161

Japanese ground losses:
323 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago

40 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Yamayuri Maru
CL Kiso
xAKL Batavia Maru, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
PB Sento Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Sonan Maru #5
PB Shinko Maru #5, Shell hits 4, on fire
PB Santo Maru
DMS W-19

Japanese ground losses:
9 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

56 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Aoba, Shell hits 1
DD Yunagi
DD Asagiri
xAKL Korei Maru, on fire
xAKL Tientsin Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire
PB Shuko Maru #2, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kohuku Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Fukeui Maru #7, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Chitose Maru
DMS W-15

Japanese ground losses:
29 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Pago Pago at 148,161, Range 30,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Yamashiro
CA Aoba
DD Asagiri
DD Asanagi
DD Yunagi
DMS W-15
PB Chitose Maru
PB Fuji Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Fukeui Maru #7, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Toshi Maru #2, on fire, heavy damage
PB Aso Maru #3, heavy fires
PB Kohuku Maru, on fire
PB Shosei Maru, on fire
PB Kyo Maru #12, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Shuko Maru #2, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC Ch 13
SC Ch 15, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Manko Maru
xAK Senko Maru
xAK Takao Maru
xAK Ikushima Maru
xAK Terushima Maru
xAK Seian Maru
xAK Sydney Maru #2
xAK Koto Maru
xAK Tamashima Maru
xAK Maya Maru
xAK Tokiwa Maru
xAK Akagane Maru
xAK Bunzan Maru
xAK Hirota Maru
xAK Kamitu Maru
xAK Kasyu Maru
xAK Kogane Maru
xAK Kohoku Maru
xAK Manyo Maru
xAK Okuyo Maru
xAK Sinko Maru
xAK Shirogane Maru
xAK Seikyo Maru
xAK Shinko Maru
xAK Shinkyo Maru
xAK Teimei Maru
xAK Tenzan Maru
xAK Taiko Maru
xAK Toyotu Maru
xAK Yamadori Maru
xAK Yomei Maru
xAK Bengal Maru
xAK Manzyu Maru
xAK Kuwayama Maru
xAK Totori Maru
xAK Hokumai Maru
xAK Tazan Maru
xAK Hokutai Maru
xAK Sinkyo Maru
xAK Koki Maru
xAK Kenzan Maru

Allied Ships
PT-20
PT-59

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Pago Pago at 148,161, Range 27,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Hiei
BB Kirishima
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsushima

Allied Ships
PT-20, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
PT-59, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Pago Pago at 148,161

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed on ground

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei


Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Runway hits 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

20 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Biyo Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Kiso
PB Sento Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Shell hits 3
PB Sonan Maru #5
PB Santo Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tientsin Maru, Shell hits 2, on fire
BB Yamashiro
PB Kohuku Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
PB Chitose Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
SC Ch 13

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hitora Maru
CL Kiso
xAKL Biyo Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Sonan Maru #5
PB Santo Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

16 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tientsin Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
BB Yamashiro
xAKL Korei Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
SC Ch 13, Shell hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

29 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Biyo Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Kiso
xAKL Hotsukawa Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
PB Sento Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2, Shell hits 3
PB Sonan Maru #5, Shell hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Santo Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Tientsin Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Yamashiro

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

19 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hotsukawa Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CL Kiso
xAKL Biyo Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Sento Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damagev

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

11 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Shun Yuan, Shell hits 1
BB Yamashiro
xAKL Gyoun Maru

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Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

12 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Hotsukawa Maru, on fire, heavy damage
CL Kiso
xAKL Katsuragisan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Yamayuri Maru, Shell hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

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Invasion Support action off Pago Pago
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAKL Korei Maru, on fire
BB Yamashiro
xAKL Shun Yuan, Shell hits 2
xAKL Bunzan Maru, Shell hits 1


That is one hell of an invasion ongoing here. I think he must have 200 transports + supporting ships in those 2 TF's he moved in. There was the additional TF at Savaii beach too.

KB didn't take part in this action. I think it is only naval strike mode now since Savaii became operational in terms of an airfield last turn too.

Allied troops tried to bombard the enemy here but mediocre results.

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Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10921 troops, 209 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value = 377

Defending force 45535 troops, 294 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1472

Japanese ground losses:
356 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (0 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
132nd Infantry Regiment
Samoan Marine Battalion
182nd Infantry Regiment
1st/102nd Infantry Battalion
8th Marine Defense Battalion
811th Engineer Aviation Battalion
30th Aviation Base Force
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
46th Construction Regiment
104th USN Base Force
428th Coast AA Battalion
2nd Marine Defense Battalion
110th USA Base Force
43rd Const Rgt /3

Defending units:
52nd Nav Gd /3
4th Div /19
47th Nav Gd /1
42nd Nav Gd /1
65th Bde /2
83rd Nav Gd /2
44th Nav Gd /1
67th Nav Gd /2
62nd Nav Gd /2
46th Nav Gd /1
144th Infantry Rgt /8
41st Nav Gd /1
Maizuru 1st SNLF /1
43rd Nav Gd /1
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy /1
48th Nav Gd /1

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Ground combat at Pago Pago (148,161)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 10946 troops, 209 guns, 97 vehicles, Assault Value = 377

Defending force 45547 troops, 294 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 1482

Japanese ground losses:
325 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)


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


Assaulting units:
132nd Infantry Regiment
Samoan Marine Battalion
182nd Infantry Regiment
1st/102nd Infantry Battalion
2nd Marine Defense Battalion
104th USN Base Force
8th Marine Defense Battalion
428th Coast AA Battalion
110th USA Base Force
46th Construction Regiment
2nd USMC Field Artillery Battalion
811th Engineer Aviation Battalion
30th Aviation Base Force
43rd Const Rgt /3

Defending units:
44th Naval Guard Unit
52nd Naval Guard Unit
42nd Naval Guard Unit
4th Division
67th Naval Guard Unit
41st Naval Guard Unit
43rd Naval Guard Unit
65th Brigade
83rd Naval Guard Unit
62nd Naval Guard Unit
144th Infantry Regiment
46th Naval Guard Unit
48th Naval Guard Unit
47th Naval Guard Unit
2nd Indpt SNLF Coy
Maizuru 1st SNLF /1


By looking at the above results it is quite clear that he unloaded those 50 000 men in just days time. I base this assumption to the fact that in 2nd bombardment shows no fragments and thus they are completely on the beach too.

As said there has to be 200 ships + BB TF and KB taking part on this operation.

This leaves me with the following options.

a) I will not do anything. I will withdraw my aircrafts into Fijis and let him capture the base.
b) I have 2 surface combat TF's maybe 2-3 days off Samoa Islands. So I could ram them in here and hope they achieve something. Most likely KB will shot them to pieces. These are mostly ABDA capital ships.
c) Move in my carriers which are past Christmas Island now. I have only those 3 US cv's in separate TF's. This is high risk move and propably mounts to nothing.

..and that is pretty much it. I cannot start landing reinforcements which are already loaded up but he has naval and air superiority over this region.

The following are quite obvious after the Pago Pago is done with.

a) Fiji becomes an death trap so I might want withdraw my troops into Oz or NZ. This is an big evacuation operation which I believe needs US carrier cover along with ABDA surface combat vessels.

b) Abandon Tahiti which is also an deathtrap and move these troops into Christmas Island now since it somewhat pointless to keep any units at forwards positions since japanese don't seem to lack ships nor manpower to advance. It is an absolute blitzkrieg.

c) Do something else... which is at the moment complete mystery to me.

Basically I think I need gather my forces at Hawaji and Christmas Island. Maybe move some reinforcements into NZ too.

Argh. There are no good options at the moment.

[aztez]

The world map view in mid april 1942...

[Smeulders]

I wonder what these huge pushes are doing to his fuel stocks and what this commitment of transports is doing to his ability to feed his economy. 

[Walloc]

ORIGINAL: Smeulders

I wonder what these huge pushes are doing to his fuel stocks and what this commitment of transports is doing to his ability to feed his economy. 

It has no importance since u win on points on 1/1/43.

Kind regards,

Rasmus

[aztez]

Smeulders: I wonder the same question. I keep reading how hard it is to keep up the pace but it kind doesn't show up in the game though.

I having supply troubles and fuel troubles all over the place. I'am running short on aircrafts too and keep getting my troops bombed daily all over the map.

I have tried to fought him and slow him down but at the moment things are looking absolutely horrific.

Walloc: True. He will win on points by 1/1/1943 if things don't start turning soon. However we are not playing for points and are in for the long haul.

That is how it went last time around too. We could have stopped at 1/1/1944 but kept on going.

Now it looks like that I need pack up Christmas Island, Hawaji and NZ with everything I got and wait for the better aircraft, troops etc etc.

I hate to do so since I want an active game but how on earth can I compete with the industrial wonders of Japan at the moment. They have troops, ac's and naval assets to keep us from doing pretty much anything.

Now I need to think whether to sacrifice those ABDA cruisers or do some kind of an offense here. There really doesn't seem to be much good options left.

Most likely thing to do is to evacuate Fijis and let him have it.