BACK IN BUSINESS - PzB goes East again(st) Andy Mac

[PzB74]

A short report and jump to 8th of March.

Just mopping up left in Sumatra and Java (including one massive concentration of Dutch troops).
We're ready to move on Timor and capture the surrounding bases. Should be done within 2 weeks.

Supply build up and preparations for Phase II is continuing.
Some 200 enemy ac in Calcutta, 50 / 50 fighters and bombers plus lots of aux.

No doubt Andy is standing by waiting to react.

Received the first Nick fighter bomber unit and a Helen Army bomber formation.
Still not in full production so I've placed them in reserve.

The period from April and throughout the rest of 1942 should be very interesting! [8D]
Will just report highlights until then...invading dot bases doesn't cause lots of exitement.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 08, 42

Sub Attacks

4th merchant sunk in 3 days, 2 outside of Brisbane and another 2 outside Colombo;

Submarine attack near Brisbane at 98,159

Japanese Ships
SS I-22

Allied Ships
xAK Clan Alpine, Torpedo hits 5, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Clan Alpine is sighted by SS I-22
SS I-22 launches 8 torpedoes at xAK Clan Alpine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Andy withdraw every man and cook he got on Java to Bandoeng, some 1000 AV on rocky ground.
Been bombing it for a few weeks and our army is now slowly gathering for the assault.
Think I got around 1600 AV - hope this will be enough, should be ready within a week or so.

Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 17432 troops, 225 guns, 17 vehicles, Assault Value = 647
Defending force 38343 troops, 389 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 1025

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

Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
12th Engineer Regiment
21st Infantry Regiment
4th Division
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
Barisan KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
Van Altena Battalion
2nd KNIL Regiment
West Borneo KNIL Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
1st Regt Cavalerie
SE Borneo KNIL Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Marinier Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
1st KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
Samarinda KNIL Bn /1
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Soerabaja Base Force
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
Commandement Marine
ABDA
Batavia Base Force
ML-KNIL
Kalidjati Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force
Sambas Base Force
KNIL Army Command
Bandoeng Base Force
MLD
109th RN Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bandoeng

[Cribtop]

Just a post to de-lurk and let you know I'm enjoying the ride. As is my way, I'm not reading Andy's version of this war in order to avoid revealing anything to either side I shouldn't.

Looking forward to Phase II!

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Just a post to de-lurk and let you know I'm enjoying the ride. As is my way, I'm not reading Andy's version of this war in order to avoid revealing anything to either side I shouldn't.

Looking forward to Phase II!

ditto , and welcome home from singapore. No strange lesions or bumps ? feeling sweaty ? skin turning odd shades of yellow ? . Keep up with the quinnine and cold showers and you'll be right as rain in no time [;)]

[PzB74]

Thx for the lurk-in guys [;)]
Got a sun burned back, otherwise feeling OK Rob!-)

Still not a lot to report, but will get back to it shortly when we're ready with Phase II.
Seems like Andy is sitting idle not knowing where the KB is and were I'll strike next.

Sank another tanker outside Brisbane today while loosing an AKL outside Borneo - US sub hit it with duds,
then re-engaged on the surface, sinking it but only after taking a 8cm gun hit in return.

We've also invaded Timor and the last bases in Sumatra and DEI are being taken care of.
Estimate one more week to finish this part, Phase II will then commence almost immediately.

Troops in Manila actually started loading into transports today; the 16th Army is powerful and includes
2 divisions, 1 brigade, 4 regiments, 4 tank regiments, 4 recon regiments, 4 engineer regiments and numerous support and artillery units.

The Nick fighter bombers that arrived are being moved to Rangoon, should give us some protection against 4E's.

Got a few pictures from Singapore for you;

Japanese naval guns in Fort Seloso!

[PzB74]

Naval gun being hoisted into its emplacement!

[PzB74]

Overview

[PzB74]

View from the fort

[PzB74]

Surrender site, Old Ford Factory

[PzB74]

A view from downtown Chinatown! Soon Chinese new year; Year of the Tiger.
Found out that I was actually born in the year of the tiger in 1974.

[PzB74]

My own HQ; Goodwood Hotel, former Teutonian House build by German colonist in the early 1900's based on architecture from old Rhine castles. - Was taken over by the British in WWI, made into a Hotel and used by Japanese officers during WWII and then for the war tribunals after the war.

Couldn't have found more suitable lodgings! [8D]



Built in 1900, Goodwood Park Hotel began as the Teutonia Club - an exclusive enclave for the expatriate German community in Singapore. In 1929, the Manassehs turned Goodwood Hall into Goodwood Park Hotel, catering to travelling businessmen from Malaya. This 5 star heritage hotel became one of the best-known hotels at the end of the nineteen thirties and among the noted guests from that period was the Duke of Windsor, later the Prince of Wales of England. For over 100 years, the Hotel withstood the ravages of time, endured many transitions and the passing of two World Wars till today, where she stands out as a beacon of Singapore’s rich and cultural heritage.

[PzB74]

Contrary to popular belief the naval guns in Singapore did engage the enemy;
A Japanese troop ship and a cargo ship were sunk by guns of Fort Siloso.
The large naval muzzels were also turned around and fired on the approaching Japanese as they approached Singapore city, cause heavy casualties.

History of Fort Siloso

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: PzB

View from the fort

Those guns certainly have the confectionary kiosk well covered [;)]. Wouldnt want to be a japanese invader in need of a quick snack there [:D].

seriously though i would assume those trees are new (last 60 years) growth as i cant even see the Sea from that gun emplacement.

[PzB74]

Those are actually old 8 and 9.2 inch breech loaders that were found near Singapore and brought to the Fort for display.
- British probably tossed the old guns away when obsolescent! The gun on the top of the kiosk is the smaller gun being loaded on this picture;

[PzB74]

Timor fell today as well as the last enemy base in Sumatra.
- Only the major enemy stand on Java left, no hurry there. Will attempt the first attack next turn.

My goal is not to rush out as quickly as possible to capture as many bases as possible.
In my last AAR game we did this in India and came within 100 point of the auto victory on 1/1-43.

The goal in this game is not an auto victory or capture as much terrain as possible, but to put Japan
in the optimal strategic position by the time the tide of the war turns. This means securing the bases that are necessary
for an optimal defense, many of which will have to be abandoned by the time Allied supremacy makes it impractical to keep them.

A secondary goal is to weaken enemy naval forces as much as possible and interdict supply lines and build up operations across the Pacific.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 11, 42

Ground Combat

Ground combat at Lautem (72,115)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 2398 troops, 14 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 85
Defending force 590 troops, 36 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Japanese adjusted assault: 51
Allied adjusted defense: 9

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Lautem !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), fatigue(-), morale(-), experience(-)
Attacker: leaders(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
70 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1222 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 96 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 69 (63 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

Assaulting units:
Tanaka Detachment

Defending units:
2nd KNIL AA Battalion
Lautem Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Koepang (68,116)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5152 troops, 35 guns, 26 vehicles, Assault Value = 230
Defending force 1567 troops, 15 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Japanese adjusted assault: 281
Allied adjusted defense: 19

Japanese assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Koepang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (0 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
3256 casualties reported
Squads: 63 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 176 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 8 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 27 (27 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 3

Assaulting units:
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
146th Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Sasebo 8th SNLF

Defending units:
Timor Garrison Battalion
Dili Detachment
Koepang Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[PzB74]

Decided on a little prank; replaced a Glen with a Jake float plane on a sub.
Jake's are usually found on Jap heavy cruisers - a Jake over Colombo would get attention I thought.
Observed 2 TF's moving out of the harbour this turn. Not sure if it was the Jake, but still [:D]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 12, 42

Sub - Surface Combat

An out fuel aux vessels from Soerabaja has been in the are for some time, decided to
put an end to its sufferings!

Day Time Surface Combat, near Roti at 66,116, Range 17,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Asakaze

Allied Ships
AMc MMS C, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No real effect...no fuel :-\

Submarine attack near Colombo at 26,49

Japanese Ships
SS I-155

Allied Ships
TK Athelduke, Torpedo hits 1

TK Athelduke is sighted by SS I-155
SS I-155 launches 8 torpedoes at TK Athelduke
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

Tomorrow Bandoent is assaulted - gathered ca 1530 assault points. Terrain will give a large bonus, add 2-3 forts
and we may have a fight on our hands. Don't give to much for the Dutch units combat value though, low exp and morale and leaders can't be the best either.

This little stronghold fell easily; Only one small island with a garrison left now.

Ground combat at Mataram (59,109)
Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1194 troops, 8 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 44
Defending force 833 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 34

Japanese adjusted assault: 62

Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 62 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Mataram !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), forts(+), fatigue(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
1876 casualties reported
Squads: 77 destroyed, 47 disabled
Non Combat: 33 destroyed, 38 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Miura Det
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /5

Defending units:
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Building bases in New Guinea - Solomons

[PzB74]

Bandoeng was indeed a hard nut to crack; only got 1-2 odds, reduced one fort level - down to 2.
Ca 2600 casualties on both sides but fatigue and disruption was as high as 80 after a single attack.
Need to rest 5-6 days before attacking again. Will move in local reserves to boost assault value.

- Good thing is that these troops are not ear marked for Phase II so this little siege will have no consequences.
Phase II on its own is actually divided into sub phase A, B and C.

A good week and we should be ready to go, stay tuned for news from Tokyo Rose!-)


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 13, 42

Ground Combat

Ankang was left unprotected.....

Ground combat at Ankang (82,42)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 315 troops, 0 guns, 48 vehicles, Assault Value = 28

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 29
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 29 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Ankang !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(+)

Assaulting units:
15th Tank Regiment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Bandoeng (50,100)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45705 troops, 453 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 1564
Defending force 38626 troops, 389 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 1036

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 630

Allied adjusted defense: 1717
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
2613 casualties reported
Squads: 13 destroyed, 94 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 116 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Guns lost 2 (0 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (0 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
2358 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 47 destroyed, 69 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Vehicles lost 16 (6 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
21st Infantry Regiment
6th Guards Division
56th Engineer Regiment
4th Division
11th Infantry Regiment
12th Engineer Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
21st/A Division
21st/B Division
5th Field Artillery Regiment
25th Army
56th Field Artillery Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
West Borneo KNIL Battalion
Lijfwacht Cav Sqn
1st KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Regiment
Van Aaran Garrison Battalion
2nd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Marinier Battalion
Tjilatjap KNIL Battalion
Batavia Coastal Gun Battalion
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
SE Borneo KNIL Battalion
6th KNIL Regiment
4th KNIL Landstorm Battalion
1st KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Van Altena Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
1st Regt Cavalerie
2nd KNIL Regiment
Samarinda KNIL Bn /1
Batavia Base Force
Tjilitap Base Force
2 ML-KNIL Aviation
Kalidjati Base Force
3rd KNIL AA Battalion
KNIL Army Command
1 ML-KNIL Aviation
Commandement Marine
ML-KNIL
ABDA
Bandoeng Base Force
Sambas Base Force
MLD
Soerabaja Base Force
109th RN Base Force
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Timor - DEI

Cleaning up in the DEI;
Mini KB has supported the invasion and is now moving away to prepare for Phase II.

[Mynok]

Wow...you have Horn Island and PM already! Well done!

[Fishbed]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Decided on a little prank; replaced a Glen with a Jake float plane on a sub.
Jake's are usually found on Jap heavy cruisers - a Jake over Colombo would get attention I thought.
Observed 2 TF's moving out of the harbour this turn. Not sure if it was the Jake, but still [:D]

That one isn't very cool PzB - Glens are the only seaplanes which could be put on the subs, as it was designed specially for this use. Jakes would be way to big to fit. It's a cool idea but it's a little gamey... [;)]

[String]

ORIGINAL: Fishbed

ORIGINAL: PzB

Decided on a little prank; replaced a Glen with a Jake float plane on a sub.
Jake's are usually found on Jap heavy cruisers - a Jake over Colombo would get attention I thought.
Observed 2 TF's moving out of the harbour this turn. Not sure if it was the Jake, but still [:D]

That one isn't very cool PzB - Glens are the only seaplanes which could be put on the subs, as it was designed specially for this use. Jakes would be way to big to fit. It's a cool idea but it's a little gamey... [;)]

What he said. You could do it the other way around though and use glens on your surface raiders deep in the enemys back yard. So when they get spotted they think that, hey, it's just a sub... And then the cruiser appears over the horizon...

[PzB74]

I know, but the sub was modified to accomodata a slightly larger seaplane - payback for those early P-38's!-)
Doesn't have much of a consequence except from scaring someone, felt for a little mischief here the other day [:'(]

Hehe, if I could afford sending out another heavy cruiser I'd consider it.
My conclusion is that the merchant raiders have to little bang for the buck - run out of ammo after firing a few rounds and any engagements with escorts will force them to RTB.