Speedy vs Fabertong - time to smack back the Penguin

[Smeulders]

Speedy, I don't know if it's really needed to slip supply to Singapore. You'll probably have enough to last until it falls anyway. Good luck on the attack in Batavia, I'm hoping your attack in Batavia succeeds, but I doubt it. The troop quality and the terrain bonus both work against you.

Congrats on the subs, some nice attacks.

[ckammp]

re: ship conversions
 
 If you want to resupply BBs, your best bet is to convert the C2 Cargo Class xAKs to C2 Lassen AEs. These AEs can support all weapons , including 16in/50 Mk 7. Ships available for this conversion include Royal T. Frank, Mount McKinley, Irenee Du Pont, Ruth Alexander, and Henry S. Grove.
 For conversion to AKE, there are two good choices. First is Harriman Cargo Class xAK to Harriman Tender AKE. Second is Hog Island Cargo xAK to Hog Island Tender AKE. The main drawback with these AKEs is they are too small to be able to service 16in guns, although they can do 15in guns. Harriman Class xAKs include Liberty Glo, Exmoor, Nisqually, Katrina Luckenbach, Horace Luckenbach, and Dorothy Luckenbach. For Hog Island xAKs, there are Mobile City and Chatanooga City.
 
AFAIK, no ships can be converted to ARs.
 
As for your disbanding units; I'm not sure why you can't disband the MG Bns. To disband a LCU, three conditions must be met:
 Unit must be at the national base.
 Unit must not be permanently restricted.
 Unit must not be scheduled for withdraw.
Your MG Bns at Sydney should meet these conditions and should be allowed to be disbanded. You might want to list this problem in the Tech Support thread, see if the devs can help.
 

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

In San Francisco for work this week......odd since it is 1.30AM in the UK now but I'm still feeling a little awake....probably a few more hours in me.

I'm contemplating a potential CV raid in the Marshalls over the next month or so. I am only thinking on it now since it would be nice to strike back but I won't do so just for the sake of it. If it can draw KB away from SoPac that would be great.....hmm food for thought.

Thanks guys - Smeulders. It's now a moot point since Netties launched against my 2 surviving AK's near singapore and sank them!

The attack on Batavia did fail but almost achieved 1:1 odds.....it was worth a try IMO otherwise I'd just be sitting there for the inevitable:

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11425 troops, 147 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 425

Defending force 14431 troops, 229 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 398

Allied adjusted assault: 235

Japanese adjusted defense: 247

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), preparation(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
181 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Guns lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (0 destroyed, 20 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
795 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 132 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 110 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

ckammp - Fantastic. Thanks a lot for the great advice[:)]

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

Malaya -

Japanese troops have reached Johore Bharu, They have been harassed all the way down by LBA from Singapore. Oscars have been patrolling on CAP but my Buffalo's have had the better of them reportedly shooting down 2 of them[:)]

The battle for Singapore will begin soon. I have just over 1200AV.

4 x AK were sunk east of Sumatra. These were Batavia refugees.

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

PI -

An interesting couple of days over Luzon. After standing my fighters down for 5 days I decided to rise to meet the sweping Zeroes today. My boys, although not experten are neither Novice's anymore either as this example shows:

Morning Air attack on Clark Field , at 79,76

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 42 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20



Allied aircraft
P-26A x 5
P-35A x 8
P-40B Warhawk x 12
P-40E Warhawk x 38


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 2 destroyed
P-35A: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Over the course of the day 9 Zeroes were reported downed for 5 x P26, 4 x P35 and 4 x P40. I'm fairly happy with this since it's the P40's that are the true comparative.

B17's bombed industry at Canton causing light damage and downing an Oscar. Tomorrow Haiphong's Resources are the target.

The Japanese bombard daily at Clark but my AV is still slowly rising. I bombard once in 3 or 4 days and cause about 400 casualties.

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

Java -

Other than the failed attack at Batavia there was a disaster in the air as a raid against Merak was slaughtered by Zeries. The unescorted bombers lost 25 of their number........still a stalemate at Batavia.

Interestingly patrols have detected what appears to be CV's near Balikpapan and a couple of TF's have been detected west of Kendari. I assume the CV's are Zuikaku and Shokaku detected before. Not sure if the TF's near Kendari are another invasion force for Java?

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

Other areas -

KB has been detected west of Luganville. My patrolling sub near PM detected a TF moving SE. Could this be an invasion force for Noumea. I hope not.....

My PM stragglers reached Buna but are rebuffed by SNLF troops....a long slow painful death now awaits.

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

Submarine warfare -

No successful submarine attacks for the Allies. However a Sub laid mine crippled PB Fuji Maru 4 at Brunei.

On the 'other side' YP-74 was sunk by SS I-9 whilst patrolling for the sub near Kodiak Island!

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Ah ckammp - think I've figured out why I can't disabnd the Aussie MG Bn's....they're due to withdraw within a year. Dang.

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

Overall a pretty quiet day with little happening in Luzon or on Malaya (Japanese massing at Johore before crossing into Singapore.)

The main action was over Java where Zeroes once more slaughtered 20 Dutch aircraft (15 of them fighters) for little result. I have 7 operational Dutch fighters left. That action has caused me to consider something:

I still have 38 x Buffalo at Singapore along with 25 x bombers. With the seige about ot begin they'll be no real need for them to be here much longer. I think I will evac the bombers via Medan, Port Blair and then Chittagong.

The Buffalo's can go to Java. NOT to fight the Zeroes but to wait as escort for my TB's. Simply put Faber HAS to come at sompoint with more troops to take Java. He doesn't have the strength at Batavia/Buitenzorg to take either base. I think this is the course of action I will take tomorrow.

Talking of fighters in the SRA. Below's a screenshot of my groups at Clark. I'm proud of them. They've done well against substantial odds (exp increased 5-10 points overall).........

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

Other areas -

Appears Faber is moving an invasion force towards New Caledonia. SS Thresher is tracking 2 TF's heading SE from Woodlark Island area. Darn it. I have substantial (24th Division, 8th USMC Rgt + support, oodles of supplies, planes etc a week out of Suva).

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

Submarine warfare -

The usual duds/misses on my side.

SS I-156 obliterated the small AP Kajang with 2 torpedoes off Sinabang, west Sumatra (swear I read this as Sinbad at first).

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

Reinforcements -

Substantial reinforcements are beginning to appear. In the US this is mainly in the form of troops, BF's and AK's (along with 3 shiny new Gato subs[:)])

From Britain:

3 x Hurri Sqn
1 x Blenheim Sqn
Rest of the Aussie Division
BB Royal Sovereign (tomorrow)
CV Indomitable (3 days)
Several BF's in Karachi/Madras.

Feeling pretty good about India now. With 18th UK Division, 7th ARM ashore, AVG around Calcutta, soon to be 4 x Hurri Sqn's, an Aussie Division (the other will be sent to Australia) - the only things I could do with immediately now are more Engineers and bombers.

[Speedysteve]

Aussie MG Bn in Sydney as an FYI.........

[Speedysteve]

Anyone have any thoughts on things? Views? Strategy? Agree/disagree with me moving my planes from Singapore etc?

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

Anyone have any thoughts on things? Views? Strategy? Agree/disagree with me moving my planes from Singapore etc?

Agree that the mediums ultimately should make their way back to CBI for use against moving LCU stacks. Whether that should be now depends on when you think their retreat path will be cut off. Buffaloes escorting the Vildebeeste is also OK provided the intention is to ultimately move them down to Darwin, otherwise they should be moved now to CBI.

I still adhere to a much earlier post of mine which recommended that Allied mediums should not be wasted against task forces, instead they should concentrate on ground attack where they will actually hit something and probably not face major LRCAP over target (in comparison to task forces).

You may like to consider using some of those small Dutch bases around Flores/Sumbwa etc as secret refueling anchorages for ants which can shoot out and return after raiding. The idea being to make the penguin capture all of the dot/small bases to secure his rear simultaneously he is conducting major DEI invasions, rather than doing the small captures after the key bases have been captured.

Alfred

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

Hi Alfred - The Buafflos will ultimately be used in CBI except maybe the Aussie and NZ Squadrons. I feel the need to use them on Java now though otherwise they'll be insufficient fighters there to allow my TB's to get through on 'one last chance' to cause damage.

The Buffalos flew to Batavia today and the LBA to Port Blair. That's it Singapore is left on it's own with 2010 AV, 70K Supply and level 3 Forts (60% to level 4).

Interesting idea on the use of the smaller bases. I like it.

Thanks.

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

Things were fairly quiet today throughout the SRA. Allied LBA bombed a Japanese Tk Rgt at Johore Bharu on their way to Port Blair and Clark's B17's bombed Haiphong's Resources for no effect.

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

China -

The Japanese surprisingly and suddenly stormed across the river towards Loyang. They were clearly surprised when they met a ail of fire under the organised defences of 8 Chinese Corps. Losses were calamitous amounting to a reported 8971 Japanese casualties vs 152 Allied. This, unexpectanly, provides me with a decnt opportunity and place for limited counter attacks. I have ordered my stout men to 'Shock' attack tomorrow. My aim is to ultimatley re-occupy Tsiaotso (with it's resources and factories) to the NE and then see what the situation is like then.

Further south another Chinese Corps should be NE of Hankow tomorrow, hopefully, providing enough strength to attack here too. I would like to cut the roads east of Hankow to cause trouble there.

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

Submarine Warfare -

There were 2 reported successes today.

Firstly, SS Skipjack put a fish into the oil filled AK Kagu Maru NW of Moppo, Korea.

SS KXII surfaced to duel with the lone AK Kokai Maru which was left burning and sinking south of Saigon.

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

Other stuff -

First plane reinforcements should be unloaded at Suva tomororw. Probably too late to interfere at Noumea if Faber comes soon (still tracking TF SE).

3 new Dutch subramines were commissioned at Soerabaya. I have 11 submarines on patrol around the threatened east coast now.

I thought I'd examine my fighter units at Clark in more depth. The boys have done well. all in all they have claimed 168 enemy planes for the loss of 118 airframes:

P40E/B -

24PG/3PS - 17 losses/28 kills
4PG/17PS - 28 losses/35 kills
24PG/20PS - 18 losses/33 kills
21PS - 29 losses/33 kills

P35A -

34PS - 17 losses/22 kills

P26A -

6PS - 19 losses/7 kills

[BrucePowers]

Not your fault but those planes stats seem flawed to me.

[Speedysteve]

Hi Bruce,
 
Flawed in what way?

[BrucePowers]

Your kill ratio seems high to me. I mean a P35A?

[BrucePowers]

It isn't you. I think it is the game and that is not your doing.

You are doing what you always do well..............Make life miserable for your opponent[:)]

[Speedysteve]

Ah got you. I think it is simply because a decent number of those kills have been bombers and un-escorted bombers at that.....I personally don't think Faber has swept enough and I've also (good for me) timed my CAP well - in terms of when to CAP andwhen not to. I seem to have a sixth sense and have managed to mainly Stand Down when sweeps come in but CAP when raids are due......

[BrucePowers]

That will do it in this game. As I said you do what you do well[:)]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

PI -

The usual kind of day.....Japanese shell Allied position at Clark to little effect (68 casualties). CAP standing down as per norm. Shelling Japanese positions tomorrow to keep the Japanese honest.

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

Malaya -

Recon indicates 26 Japanese units are at Johore.

Over 40 x Oscars sweep and 26 x Sallies bomb Singapore. Luckily I had moved my planes out yesterday.

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

Java -

Japanese CV planes were spotted over Soerabaya but Patrols found no enemy TF's nearby. Hmm.

The IJA 38th Division attacked again at Batavia but made no progress. They did destroy more Dutch squads than they lost though:

Ground combat at Batavia (49,98)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14596 troops, 230 guns, 121 vehicles, Assault Value = 417

Defending force 15702 troops, 181 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 331

Japanese adjusted assault: 272

Allied adjusted defense: 337

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
929 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 67 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 10 (0 destroyed, 10 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
247 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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

China -

The Chinese threw themselves at the Japanese beachead outside of Loyang. The fight was intense and bloody for both sides. 9th Chinese Corps attacking on the right flank was mauled and fell back in disaray (98% disabled). 36th and 80th Chinese Corps broke through the enemy positions and force the enemy to rout across the River. Losses have been heavy (down to 1214 AV at the mo). I called a meeting with the local Chinese commanders. After an hours deliberation it was decided we would now NOT pursue the enemy across the river unless the situation changes. There are still many strong Japanese units to the SE:

Ground combat at Loyang (87,43)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 49528 troops, 259 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1704

Defending force 27047 troops, 252 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 962

Allied adjusted assault: 2571

Japanese adjusted defense: 803

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
8771 casualties reported
Squads: 212 destroyed, 186 disabled
Non Combat: 220 destroyed, 139 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 15 disabled
Guns lost 27 (17 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 19 (10 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units retreated 5


Allied ground losses:
2208 casualties reported
Squads: 66 destroyed, 340 disabled
Non Combat: 11 destroyed, 292 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
36th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
38th Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
Jingcha War Area
4th Group Army
14th Group Army
36th Group Army
15th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
37th Division
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment

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

Burma -

Japanese forces took Rangoon 2 days back and took Tongoo (sp?) yesterday. It will be touch and go what I can get out of the pocket. I have ordered 16th Indian Bde to march overland to Akyab. 13,500 tonnes of suply are being loaded up at Calcutta bound for Akyab.

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

Submarine Warfare -

Many missed and dud attacks today. Worst of all by SS Thresher firing 10 torpedoes at AO Shinkoku Maru south of Rennell Islands (Japanese force heading for New Caledonia). As mentioned before this is frustrating. If it had ben 2 more weeks I would have had a massive force (600 AV, 25 x P40E, 40 x P39D, 40 x B26B) at Noumea.

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

PI -
Japanese bomb Clark for the first time in ages destroying 8 planes on the ground. Japanese lose over 200 men with Allied shelling.

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

Malaya -

Raids continue. Looking forward to getting to grips with the enemy when they march over!

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

Java -

An enemy TF is spotted 180 miles NNE of Soerabaya. Unsure of what this is. All TB's and Buffalos have flown into Soerabaya and along with the rest of the Dutch airforce will attempt to attack enemy shipping tomorrow.

Stalemate continues on the ground.

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

Burma -

I'm splitting my retreating forces in half. Those at Prmem are to now march overland to Akyab. It will be a long struggle but estimates indicate they will not reach the Mandalay area before the Japanese do. The other half should reach Mandalay in time.

6 x Wirraway are at Prome today to bomb enemy spearheads heading towards Meiktila.

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

China -

The Chinese scored another local victory agains the hideous Japanese forces NE of Hankow. I am now marching on Singyang to 'see what's there' and may then either try to take it or to send a couple of corps to cut it and Hankow off fr0m supply to the east:

Ground combat at 85,49

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30607 troops, 184 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1024

Defending force 7047 troops, 62 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 268

Allied adjusted assault: 595

Japanese adjusted defense: 164

Allied assault odds: 3 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3080 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 66 disabled
Non Combat: 54 destroyed, 73 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Allied ground losses:
54 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
7th Chinese Corps
53rd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
20th Group Army
21st Group Army

Defending units:
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
14th RGC Temp. Division

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

Other areas -

I expect the Japanese to invade New Caledonia within 2-3 days. SS Thresher is still tracking as the screenshot shows KB is nearby. You can also see the first 2 of 6 convoys have reached Suva. I am thinking of force dispositions in the are assuming New Caledonia's loss. I will probably create a bastion at Fuji and build up Raoul and Norfolk Islands to keep the life line open.

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

Submarine warfare -

SS S-36 heavily damaged AK Brasil Maru with a torpedo south of Saigon. 3 other ships were hit by duds throughout the day.

On the other side SS I-168 broke in half the small freighter Nicarata near Christmas Island, returning from Tahiti in SoPac.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Speedy

6 x Wirraway are at Prome today to bomb enemy spearheads heading towards Meiktila.

Hey Speedy, empty beer bottles make a satisfying whistle, I hear. [:D]

[Mynok]

the hideous Japanese forces

Ah-hah! He's found the Penguin Guard! [:D]

[Speedysteve]

Hi all,

The heat turns up across the SRA and the cracks are finally showing in the Allied airforce on Luzon.

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

PI -

2 days of intense combat at Clark Field (including 50 Zeroes sweeping and large bombing raids) have weakned the Allied fighter force to 29 planes, 12 of which are damaged. My boys have fought valiantly taking down a reported 11 x Zeroes and 9 x bombers. In return 10 planes have been lost in the ground and 19 fighters in the air.

It pains me to not send replacements to my fighter squadrons but it's a lost cause and no point in throwing good money after bad......

My men on the ground continue to hold though with the Japanese content to lob shells at us.

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

Malaya -

All quiet here as we await the Japanese assault. A few bombers fly overhead unlueashing their loads.

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

Java -

The ghost will soon be up here as well as more Japanese forces land at Tjepoe WNW of Soerabaya. Faber id well here since I was tracking the force and expected it to land at Semarang. As such Tjepoe is undefended. I am moving 120 AV of hodge podge to Tjepoe to try to hold the enemy. It's unlikely I will though and they will quickly overwhelm Java I expect.

My airforce has fought and died valiantly in drove over the past 2 days. The landing is protected by what looks like Shokaku/Zuikaku and a CVL. Over the past 2 days 65 Allied planes and their crew have been lost whilst attacking the oncoming Japanese TF's cvered by 40ish Zero/Claude CAP. I have about 40 planes left in the whole of Java now.

They did not die without achievement though. On the 17th they managed to sink 3 troop carrying AK's before they hit the beaches. My subs also scored here as well.....

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

Burma -

Japanese tanks have reached Meiktila. I have assembled a rag tag 80AV to hold for a day or so if we can to allow me to embark trains for the rear and India.

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

Other areas -

Japanese troops (Guards Bde + 2 x SNLF) stormed ashore the empty beaches of Koumac, New Caledonia. They'll march overland and occupy Noumea. I have nothing there to oppose them. Noumea's catalinas will fly out what they can to Suva before the the Japanese arrive.

I will need to move quickly to make Raoul and Norfolk Islands active when my troops have disembarked at Suva.

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

China -

Developments in South China which I will elaborate on over the next few days.

Faber routed 3 Chinese corps to the SW of Nanchang with heavy loss.

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

Submarine warfare -

SS S-38 heavily damaged the troop laden AP Buenos Aires Maru off Bandjermasin on it's way to Tjepoe.

SS Gudgeon heavily damaged AK Bunzan Maru off Japanese occupied Lunga.

SS Triton missed SS I-18 with my first sub vs sub attack of the war near Kwajalein.

SS I-22 sank AK Alcoa Prospector near Laysan Island returnign to PH after re-supplying Midway.

[ny59giants]

2 days of intense combat at Clark Field (including 50 Zeroes sweeping and large bombing raids) have weakned the Allied fighter force to 29 planes, 12 of which are damaged. My boys have fought valiantly taking down a reported 11 x Zeroes and 9 x bombers. In return 10 planes have been lost in the ground and 19 fighters in the air.

It pains me to not send replacements to my fighter squadrons but it's a lost cause and no point in throwing good money after bad......

My men on the ground continue to hold though with the Japanese content to lob shells at us.

This is a tough decision to make. I have troubles deciding to not send a few more P-40Es as replacements as part of me wants the Japanese player to be forced to keep most of his Zeros over Luzon rather than going someplace else.