Sumatra
the Japanese forces continue to clean up the southern part of the Island.
Java
In the NW at Merak forces are flown in, we hit the transports, and the troops on the ground with aircraft to good effect, they sweep with Oscars. Not much we can do. A large invasion TF appears at Oosthaven to load troops for the crossing. SS 020 tries to engage but misses. On day two we manage to hit one of the ships:
xAK Ryuyo Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
At the other end of the inland the war has gone really hot!
During the night several groups of PT boats engage the various TF from Sorebaya, the following are the key outcomes of the swirling fight:
Round one
TB Sagi, Shell hits 1
xAP Tsingtao Maru collides with AMC Akagi Maru at 57 , 107
DD Kawakaze collides with CM Yaeyama at 57 , 107
DD Umikaze collides with CM Yaeyama at 57 , 107
xAK Victoria Maru collides with AMC Akagi Maru at 57 , 107
CS Mizuho collides with CM Yaeyama at 57 , 107
xAP Huzi Maru collides with AMC Akagi Maru at 57 , 107
xAK Dakar Maru collides with AMC Akagi Maru at 57 , 10
Round two
CMc Washizaki, heavy damage
xAK Myoko Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
PT-32, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
CL Nagara collides with CMc Washizaki at 57 , 107
xAK Myoko Maru collides with CM Itsukushima at 57 , 107
xAK Yasukawa Maru collides with CM Itsukushima at 57 , 107
xAK Toko Maru collides with CM Itsukushima at 57 , 107
Round 3
PT TM-9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
xAP Tsingtao Maru collides with AMC Kiyosumi Maru at 57 , 107
xAK Toko Maru collides with AMC Kiyosumi Maru at 57 , 107
xAP Ukishima Maru collides with AMC Kiyosumi Maru at 57 , 107
xAP Argentina Maru collides with AMC Kiyosumi Maru at 57 , 107
Round 4
CS Mizuho, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
TB Sagi, Shell hits 2, on fire
AMC Kiyosumi Maru, heavy damage
PT TM-15, Shell hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Baikal Maru collides with AMC Aikoku Maru at 57 , 107
xAP Argentina Maru collides with AMC Aikoku Maru at 57 , 107
AMC Aikoku Maru collides with AMC Kiyosumi Maru at 57 , 107
xAK Tenryu Maru collides with AMC Aikoku Maru at 57 , 107
Round 5 (react engagement with withdrawing ships)
xAK Toko Maru, heavy damage
PT TM-10, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
The significant number of collisions was due to the large number of vessels... around 60-70 total!
During the day we have more surface engagements with reacting TF's and our air chimes in... they have no CAP up so a good day overall... here are the highlights:
xAK Dakar Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Myoko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Taizan Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Dairen Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
MTB 12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
MTB 26, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
The base (unsurprisingly) falls to: 4th/B Div /2
2nd Engineer Regiment
24th Infantry Regiment
146th Infantry Regiment
4th/C Division
16th Infantry Regiment
4th/A Division
8th Tank Rgt /1
16th Army
The next day of combat sees:
xAK Nichiyu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Itsukushima, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Heian Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tsukuba Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Hoten Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Overall a good day for the defence considering how little is there!
East DEI
Ambon is trashed by Netties... they should have done this earlier, it cost them 2-3 ships.
Philippines
Our northen attack continues and we push the hated enemy further back
Ground combat at Bayombong (80,75)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 6930 troops, 96 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 270
Defending force 1283 troops, 4 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 37
The cunning plan to move ships to Bussleton and have them auto-disband failed... for some reason they did not auto disband
I have noted that auto disband TFs don't always auto disband when you think they should.
Perhaps you should send the save to a dev [:D]
In one of life's little coincidences, the turn I got back today (after I posted) had the same problem, so I did post my save. Not that a second one would hurt.
Excellent AAR. I would bet your opponents are somewhat demoralized by this point.
I'm currently playing against the AI as Allies and what I call Nellies (Nells and Betties; I see you call them Netties) have really forced me to tone down shipping and surface movements in the DEI and even to Rangoon (before it was taken in mid-Feb.) since fairly early days. It seems your opponents are giving you far too much room to maneuver in the interest of preserving their 2-engine naval bombers. What are your thoughts?
I agree with your analysis, it isn't how I play but may be a better way... we shall see. At this stage their airforce is formidable and largely untouched... likewise ours. I actually think the decisive battle will be Burma. We have about 700AV at Myitkyina, and it is almost lvl 5 forts... To get us out of that will take all their airpower... but they still have it. If they don't take that base then we have a great jumping off point for offensive actions... one that we will use.
I think they are being overly conservative, and that they haven't synchronised their assets that well (such as the Netties). Their use of KB to shield the landings in JAV has been good, except the inexplicable lack of LRCAP to cover the Invasion TF (I would have used mini KB).
Otoh I think they are playing the long game, and their horder of HI, planes and pilots may paay off... after all you "win" as the japanese by casuing delay... not holding ground.
So it isn't how I play and I don't agree with it, but it may have merit.
Cheers
Rob
ORIGINAL: Commander Cody
Excellent AAR. I would bet your opponents are somewhat demoralized by this point.
I'm currently playing against the AI as Allies and what I call Nellies (Nells and Betties; I see you call them Netties) have really forced me to tone down shipping and surface movements in the DEI and even to Rangoon (before it was taken in mid-Feb.) since fairly early days. It seems your opponents are giving you far too much room to maneuver in the interest of preserving their 2-engine naval bombers. What are your thoughts?
It it has surprised us even more. OTOH I think that is their strategy, to conserve aircraft now, not build up the factories, and wait for better ones. LRCAP does tend to waste Japanese aircraft over time. And it does scare me a bit to think of all those good air units, with low fatigue, great trg levels AND god aircraft... when we fight it will be... bloody... and we will hurt more.
The downside is they have lost ships because of this decision... but maybe they have saved points overall.
It's not what I may do but may not be wrong, we shall see!
Thoughts
Intel indicates most of the northern "string" of islands leading north from Japan are undefended. There is little air support and fewer airfields.
I feel a raid may be in order.
I have about 5 APD's at Dutch Harbour that can carry a raider/para bn to capture one of these islands... then withdraw. Do this a few times to take a number of bases, maybe put in a small element and fly Cats out.
I am actually quite keen on an advance from this approach
We have about 700AV at Myitkyina, and it is almost lvl 5 forts...
I had 900AV at Mandalay when I was forced out and much less when I lost Myitkyina. I couldnt really make a strong stand until I got some of the British and Aussie brigades up the trail from Imphal and finally re-took Myitkyina in the summer.
"Its a dog eat dog world Sammy and I am wearing Milkbone underwear" -Norm.
Thoughts
Intel indicates most of the northern "string" of islands leading north from Japan are undefended. There is little air support and fewer airfields.
I feel a raid may be in order.
I have about 5 APD's at Dutch Harbour that can carry a raider/para bn to capture one of these islands... then withdraw. Do this a few times to take a number of bases, maybe put in a small element and fly Cats out.
I am actually quite keen on an advance from this approach
Cheers
Rob
Totally concur - as I think my comments in earlier posts would confirm.
To me the psychological effect of potentially meting out significant damage to Japan's infrastructure in the Home Islands, is quite a potent Allied threat - one that cannot be lightly dismissed by the enemy. Any counter measures taken by the enemy will have a disproportionate adverse effect upon their schwerpunkt.
One of the great advantages that Japan has is that it operates on interior lines. This benefit is best shown and utilised when Japan has moved onto the strategic defense. At this stage (Feb/Mar 1942) when Japan is on the strategic offense, interior lines is of less value because she needs her assets at the schwerpunkt, not responding to Allied moves half away across the world.
"I have defeated Japanese forces in Northern Luzon and am in pursuit... send more icecream"
Got the turn and to my surprise the Japanese have fallen back and appear to be in retreat.
I will concentrate most of my force at Ligayen and attempt to molest him. My current advance guard will rest on turn (2 days) to recover losses, and in case he counter attacks from the flank... I then intend to follow him up a bit, but supply is low and I don't want to be caught by paras or similar, I have a narrow margin force wise at the momement.
Manila is at 75% to level 5 forts. Total suupply is about 12,000 accross all the supplied bases.
I am picking up supply, and of course 3000 tons of icecream machine and supplies are on their way. I'm also airlifting in combat forces, and may airlift the marines out to China.
Attachments
420310_philippines.jpg (113.78 KiB) Viewed 227 times
Lots of sub action, including misses against CA's [:(] But here are two succesful ones, both near Java:
Submarine attack near Den Passar at 58,107
Japanese Ships
CM Itsukushima, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS KXI
Sub attack near Merak at 48,97
Japanese Ships
xAK Zinzan Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Daigen Maru
xAK Hokko Maru
CA Takao
DD Asakaze
PB Tatsumiya Maru
Allied Ships
SS KVIII, hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Burma
No Change. Myitkyina expands fortifications to size 5.
Java
LOTS of air action, mostly unuposed again. In general our aircraft don't hit much at all, we have a air HQ arriving at the base the air is flying from so next turn we should get torps for our Swordfish and Vildebeast... they are generally the only aircraft hitting.
xAK Heian Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CA Myoko
xAK Dakar Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Tokusima Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Kyusyu Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
in other important actionsa key Naval engagement:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Merak at 48,97, Range 11,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
AMc Wa 3
AMc Wa 19
Allied Ships
AMc Salak
East DEI
The invasion of Ambon comences. They hit the base hard from the air, but the naval guns get two 150mm hits on the transport carrying the forces. They have about 24 AV ashore, and we have 11 so it will be close...
B-17E flying from Darwin fail to hit even the damaged transport, will hit the ground troops next turn to disrupt them.
On Timor Marauders paste Dili.
Philippines
All quiet as I advance and they fall back. Zero's get two P-40.
NorPac
Our CV is undetected, but we haven't found anything to hit yet...
China
Nanyang has:
9th Armored Car Co
116th Division
15th AA Regiment
9th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
If we can concentrate in time we may be able to handle this force...
We loose Tsiaotso again
Analysis
Our air HQ should make a diference on Java... hopeflly we have lured them into a false sense ofsecurity and we may get a capital ship with torps...
We detect some escorts in northen Japan, maybe able to get in and kill them...
Java
The invasion continies. They hit Batavaia from the air (but don't do a lot of damage) and our planes fly over two days against a CL led tf that fights off all but the last two attacks on the second day when Swordfish and Wilderbeast:
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 3, on fire
CL Oi, Bomb hits 2, on fire
CL Nagara, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
All 500lb bombs penetrate, scatch two CL's!
East DEI
Ambon falls on the second day. A CA tf hits an xAKL unloading supply nth of Darwin at a dot base.
We hit timor from the air with Marauder and Vindicators.
Philippines
We take Lingayen. we will hold now, rest and re-organise the defence as they will probably be rushing forces in, and our supply is low.
Australia
Almost at the SW corner of the map KB finds a convoy of AK's carrying fuel to Melbourne sinking the lot. Annoying but KB is well out of position!
They detect CV aircraft off Noumea, so they may twig...
CV Raid 2
Bad weather really impacts on up here and we miss many juicy targets as the planes detect but only launch once:
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Sekiho Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Rozan Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Celebes Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
xAKL Konei Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Karimo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Momoyama Maru, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAKL Juyo Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
Our subs in the area finish off one of the damaged ones.
Analysis
KB is obviously hunting for the CV's, the loss of the convoy is annoying but having KB known and so far out of position is nice.
Our second raid went OK, but there are a stack of escorts in the same hex where the ships were hit... I'd REALLY like to kill those as it will make future sub actions so much better... I think I'll take the risk of hanging around another turn in case they think I just ran in and ran out.
Our forces for Tulagi are concentrated and north of Noumea...
Quiet, the weather closes in and stops most flight ops across the map
Burma
Japanese capture Taung Gyi with
1st Tank Regiment,
Meiktila with:
38th Division
15th Army
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
Magwe
33rd Division
Elsewhere:
Myitkyina expands airfield to size 4 (lvl 5 Forts, 900AV)
Ledo expands airfield to size 4
Java
Merak falls to:
21st Ind.Mixed Brigade
21st Division
124th Infantry Rgt /1
2nd Mortar Battalion
Our aircraft don't fly at all. Bettys hit Sorebaya hard.
KB sinks an AMc off Tjilitjap
East DEI
We hit Timor again from Darwin.
Philippines
They have run away and we are holding. For the first time bombers appear over Clark in small numbers. We loose more air wise (4-5 P40) but get a few of theirs, so about even. Plus by hitting Clark they are allowing Manila to build, should be at 5 very soon...
Otherwise our forces are resting and recovering.
SWPAC
My Tulagi raid is one day away from landing and it doesn't look like it has been detected...
CV Raid 2
We detect lots of TF in range but only one small strike flys at the base at Toyohara: Afternoon Air attack on Toyohara , at 124,46
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes
Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 6
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
Allied aircraft losses
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
Japanese Ships
xAK Magane Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
The CV is detected by Betties, and the bad weather will probably continue... a real pity as there are SOOOO many TF in the area
China
Mostly quiet. Chengchow will be the next major battleground, we have 1400 AV behind 3-4 forts. At the same time we are advancing 2000 AV (or so) on Nanyang in an attempt to do over a division...
Analysis
the weather really hurt our air attacks this turn, very annoying!
In Burma they will need to bring a lot more force.
Back to the discussion on your opponents' hoarding of aircraft: I'm quite interested to see how that strategy will turn out for Japan. You're right in that they don't have to take a lot of territory, just hold it for as long as possible.
Plus, it'll be interesting to see how they react to your Kurile activities. Keep up the good work.
CC I think it is a very good strategy... but first you have to take the area you want... Having said that our victories in the Philippines are temporary and don't really mean much in the long run... except it means he has to spend more combat power there... maybe.
Being so low on supply we can't really go on the offensive, nor can we bring in aircraft to harass. Our P-40 units are now down to about 1/3rd strength so not much fight left in them...
Here is a picture of our CV raid. The APD raider TF is 3-4 days away from landing. We we plaster Paramushiro until they arrive...
Cheers
Rob
Attachments
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