Fabertong vs Speedy II - This time it's Personal

[fabertong]

Dec 13th 1941........


On the 13th the Boise SAG (Boise with 3 DDs)pushed on toward Taiwan......first encountering a Transport group bound for Saigon.......Boise sank a PB and damaged an AP and the covering CL, Tama which I had for cover......

The Boise group then encountered another Tranport group headed for CRB.......here the escorts protected the Cargo ships.......but at some cost......I lost the CL Kinu....and 2 subchasers.........

Boise moved on and hit another group nearer to Takao....and sank 3 PBs and 2 AKL......

On she went into Takao harbour where she encountered a SAG comprising CL Natori and 5 DDs....with limited visability the two sides traded a salvo or two......my SAG moved away....

The sun rose........ and Boise found my AAG 3 in Takao Harbour......CVE Hosho was hit(and will need 3-4 weeks repair time........but before BB Nagato could get involved Boise moved away.....

Then, at long last, SAG 7 intercepted Boise....this SAG (CAs Maya Ashigara CL Kuma and 2 DDs had been shadowing Boise for 2 days.......and I had hoped would be the first to find her.......Boise ....low on ammo.....was sunk and the Thanet badly damaged........no real damage to my group.....so Farewell Boise.......I won't miss you.......

Alas then an Allied SAG comprising CL Marblehead and 4 DDs hit my Tarakan invasion force.....my covering SAG....had gone chasing shadows (not to self...never allow escorts to react).......and I lost 6 AKs... 10 PB/AMc/DMS....an oiler and a TK..........Oh, the humanity.......luckily all the troops were ashore....

As Marblehead moved off....she was caught by aircraft from AAG 4 and took 6 penatrating bomb hits......she limped away.....

Nells /Bettys flying from Saigon and Kota Bharu....hiot the mixed allied CLs that had been operating out of Kuching......over 130 aircraft attacked and scored 2 Torpedo hits.......1 each for ...CL Durban....CL Java....I'll be having a stern word with those pilots.......


Ichang was taken by the Allies....I'd pulled out 3 days ago...I captured Jesslton

Great agressive play from Speedy....the mid-sea intercepts in AE do encourage a larger role for surface raiders.......my own report card......'must try harder'

[Capt. Harlock]

Can't complain about lack of surface action in this AAR -- AE has obviously improved the intercept situation!

[Mynok]

Oh, the humanity.......luckily all the troops were ashore....

Lucky indeed! Speedy probably won't want to find out he sunk ships full of his own prisoners! [:'(]

I think he learned that Takao visit trick from the AI. Did the exact same thing to me in the game I started over the weekend. Fortunately, Takao harbor was pretty empty at the time, and daylight of course brought a bunch of overhead visitors with bad intent upon them.

[fabertong]

Sadly Brother Mynok....my overhead visitors strike rate is well down....compared to WitP.......probably more realistic.....but it's hard to let go of the old ways.....

Dec 14th 1941......


SAG 2 (4 CAs and escorts) caught up with USN CA Houston....making a run for Kuching.....she was hit by six shells....and made a run for it....burning as she went.......but at speed....so no real damage.......

Nells/Bettys this turn sank 4 AKs an escort and hit the CL Danae with one Torpedo......at varying points around the map.....

Tarakan fell.......

Speedy's troops at Luzon are (or appear to be) pulling back to CF....so my attempt to get him to come out and fight by landing 'AT Risk' forces has failed.......it will be a siege after all.......

[Mynok]

Search is the big change. Detecting TFs is much harder now.

[fabertong]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


Search is the big change. Detecting TFs is much harder now.

I Agree.....and feel short of Recon airgroups across the board......but do love the change......even if it hurts me.....let's just hope it hurts the Allies too....

Quick update.....

Dec 15-17th 1941.....

Chokai and the DD Yugumo hit a mine (one each) at Balikpapan....Chokai should make it....but I doubt Yugumo will.....both will retire to Tarakan...

I lost my MSW in this area to the Marblehead raid....so will land North of Balik and then cross the river....Covered by Ryuho's AAG....who is...BTW ...out of Bombs....and has only 18 Torps........will re-supply after landings......

My Other main thrusts are.....

Moving to Kuching.....in force.....4 Inf Brigades.....and much support....with another CVL based AAG covering......they will take all of the west side of Northern Borneo....and then move on Palambang.....

Moving on Rabaul.......covered by Sho and Zui......will also take Shortlands.....then in 5 days when the Imp. G. Bgd is up move on PM........supported by the rest of KB ....with Sho/ZUI AAG moving off to Pelau.....for future movements......

Lost an AP and an AMC to Speedy's subs....curses.....


Took HK/Guam/Wake.......

Having a long old think about China.......will let you know the result....but my gut instinct....is to try and clear what I want and leave the rest alone.....

[scott64]

Those mines are meanies. [:'(]

[fabertong]

Dec 18th-21st........

The war goes on.....

I've lost a handfull of PBs and AKs to the coastal guns of Rabaul and Kuching....although they are both now mine.......now pushing on from those objectives......

In Malaya....Speedy seems to have pulled back from the Northern bases....where will he make his stand?

In the Phils...he will look to hold at CF....It will take me 6-8 days to get to grips with him there......

Lost 2 more DDs to his subs.........thats 6 DDs gone so far.....grrrr.....I never have enough of them ....even before Steven started sinking them.....

My air losses are an embarresment......but I'll post them at the end of the month anyway......I can't seem to get my coordination right......and in the last few turns have lost 20+ LRBs........

and a small look at China.....

[scott64]

My air losses are an embarresment......but I'll post them at the end of the month anyway......I can't seem to get my coordination right......and in the last few turns have lost 20+ LRBs........

I have the same problem in Dirty Deeds with thegreatwent. [X(] My LB loses are way too high. Currently trying different sweep levels to see if my zeros perform better than 10K. My Bettys seam to want to attack by themselves and my escorts do not show up. [:@] Anyways only at 12/12 so there is hope. What city do you use for your main point for the resources?

[Mynok]

Coordination is all about altitude.

[fabertong]

Right....I'll have a look at my Alts...Brother Mynok.....


Scott.......sorry....where for resources?...China.....HI....?


Dec. 22nd 1941.....

Lost a AV to PTs......off Loang.......otherwise just a 'run in the mill' turn....

Now a question for avid readers........

To try and cut off Speedy's build up at Malacca......with only Ryujo in support....(and lot's of surface ships).....or push deeper...?

Look at map.

[DuckofTindalos]

I'd land at Mersing. If Speedy fights at Kuala Lumpur, you might be able to outflank him, but see if you can't attack him at KL first, so as to pin him down.

[Q-Ball]

What's at Mersing? A smart Allied player will post the Aussies there. They might be able to handle a Division. Even if you're stuck though, he'll probably pull back from Kuala Lumpur and into Singapore.

I think he's doing you a favor fighting forward; it's just going to get his units beat-up. Not 100% sure, but I think the best Allied strategy in AE is to protect your rear at Mersing and from Paras, but prep/withdraw everything into Singapore turn 1. Unless you allow the Japanese to get behind you, it takes a month just to walk down the peninsula to Singapore. Setting up defenses doesn't delay that much, and just gets guys killed.

I landed at Mersing in my PBEM, and cleared Singapore in Janauary. I recommend it.

[scott64]

Scott.......sorry....where for resources?...China.....HI....?

Home Islands for the resource/oil etc [:)]

[fabertong]

ORIGINAL: scott1964

Scott.......sorry....where for resources?...China.....HI....?

Home Islands for the resource/oil etc [:)]

Hi Scott.......because most of the Oil/Resource convoys are 'short haul' at the mo......and coming from small ports.....I'm using mainly small convoys(lots) who then go to most of the smaller HI Cities....

Then when I have the big 'long haul' convoys.....these will use the big cities......

That's the general plan.......but with all things Japanese economy....I'd ask Major Mike (Solli).......he has an AAR up and running....and it's a great learning tool for all us Japanese players.

[ny59giants]

I would land at Mersing with as much as you can to attempt to cut him off. You will face an Aussie Bde and whatever else he has added there. The more combat you can have outside of Singapore, the better it is for you.  

[BrucePowers]

Major Mike is a Japanese Economy expert that is for sure.

[Mike Solli]

Heh, I got lots of people fooled now.

[Mynok]

You won't cut him off from Singapore by landing at Mersing. The roads coming out of there are much slower than his rail line to Singers.

[Smeulders]

You could in combination with a bombing campaign on the retreating troops. They get tossed back in strategic move once an air strike comes in.