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

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E14Y1 Dimensions:

• Span 11.00 m
• Length 8.54 m
• Height 3.80 m

E13A1a Dimensions:

• Span 14.50 m
• Length 11.30 m
• Height 7.40 m

... but then again, i've been doing other somewhat questionable stuff in my game as well (resizing floatplane units for example)

[PzB74]

Yes, we had to remove most of the submarine to make it fit!-)
No worries, I'll fly it at the same range as a Glen and dismantle it when RTB. Consider it as a little "maskirovka".

- One of the challenges in the game is the immediate identification of ship and ac types. In real life it would be extremely difficult to say if it's a Glen or any other type of seaplane from several thousand meters.

"Oh, don't worry it's only a Glen, so nothing to worry about....!"
"WAIT, it's a JAKE - ALARM!" [:'(]

Commerce raiders were actually re-shaped using plywood and paint to resemble a variety of Allied merchant ships, and it worked quite well.

[String]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Yes, we had to remove most of the submarine to make it fit!-)
No worries, I'll fly it at the same range as a Glen and dismantle it when RTB. Consider it as a little "maskirovka".

- One of the challenges in the game is the immediate identification of ship and ac types. In real life it would be extremely difficult to say if it's a Glen or any other type of seaplane from several thousand meters.

"Oh, don't worry it's only a Glen, so nothing to worry about....!"
"WAIT, it's a JAKE - ALARM!" [:'(]

Commerce raiders were actually re-shaped using plywood and paint to resemble a variety of Allied merchant ships, and it worked quite well.

Actually, from what i've seen, there is significant FoW here. I've often seen mavises and emilies indentified as torpedo bombers over allied bases etc.

[PzB74]

Well, that isn't all to wrong since both those ac carries torpedoes [:)]

One question; When you send the KB out to search for prey they sometimes report the occasional sub sighting (often reported as ship sightings).

- Will these sub reports also work the other way around?
Or let me rephrase the question; will the Allied player see exactly the same replay as the Japanese player

[String]

ORIGINAL: PzB

Well, that isn't all to wrong since both those ac carries torpedoes [:)]

One question; When you send the KB out to search for prey they sometimes report the occasional sub sighting (often reported as ship sightings).

- Will these sub reports also work the other way around?
Or let me rephrase the question; will the Allied player see exactly the same replay as the Japanese player

Hm, as far as I know, no, as different op reports are generated for allies and japanese. I tend to turn off all of my search until I reach the target area. It's a bit of a gamble but I hate to spend the alphastrike on some picket xAKL

[khyberbill]

- One of the challenges in the game is the immediate identification of ship and ac types. In real life it would be extremely difficult to say if it's a Glen or any other type of seaplane from several thousand meters.

I usually only get a message of plane type (float, tb, medium bomber etc). I rarely am informed of the make/model and serial number.

[PzB74]

Would take away some of my worries if that's the case - been worried about what intel has been getting out!

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 15, 42

Sub Attacks

Lots of sub activity today, an unfortunate miss on a tanker, but we got a damaged fleet oiler instead.

Submarine attack near Goa at 27,25

Japanese Ships
SS I-164

Allied Ships
TK British Chemist

TK British Chemist is sighted by SS I-164
SS I-164 launches 4 torpedoes at TK British Chemist
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Submarine attack near Feni Islands at 107,127

Japanese Ships
xAK Daijukyo Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

xAK Daijukyo Maru is sighted by SS Searaven
SS Searaven attacking on the surface


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Submarine attack near Johnston Island at 167,112

Japanese Ships
SS I-173, hits 2

Allied Ships
xAKL Yarra, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage

xAKL Yarra is sighted by SS I-173
SS I-173 attacking on the surface
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Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 26,43

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
xAK Barpeta, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Barpeta is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Barpeta
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Submarine attack near Lahaina at 202,95

Japanese Ships
SS I-15

Allied Ships
AO Patoka, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

AO Patoka is sighted by SS I-15
SS I-15 launches 6 torpedoes
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Submarine attack near Feni Islands at 107,127

Japanese Ships
xAK Daijukyo Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

xAK Daijukyo Maru is sighted by SS Searaven
SS Searaven launches 4 torpedoes
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Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 27,44

Japanese Ships
SS I-166

Allied Ships
xAK Bandra, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

xAK Bandra is sighted by SS I-166
SS I-166 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Bandra
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Submarine attack near Colombo at 28,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
xAKL Hermod, Shell hits 3, on fire

xAKL Hermod is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 attacking on the surface
Eitaro, A. decides to submerge SS I-27 due to damage
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Sub attack near Colombo at 28,46

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
xAKL Hermod, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

xAKL Hermod is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes
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[PzB74]

Not much to report, had an awful 1-5 odds with a follow up attack on Bandoeng.
No doubt this is the new Allied redoubt on Java, isn't that so Al? [:'(]

At least enemy losses were almost as high as the Japanese.
Moving in an extra Army HQ and some aditional reserves from the Luzon and Singapore garrisons.

Still no hurry as these troops are not part of Phase II which will commence shortly.
Will get back to you with details in a day or two.

Experimenting with ASW ac tactics; trying out the "ASW beam" - using 30 to 60 asw trained ac to search a very small
10-20 degree arc were enemy subs are patroling. Much better to create such "mouse traps" than using few ac to patrol a wide search arc.

[aprezto]

Certainly it was the spot on Java that I spied, with my little eye. The other is Malang, but it is reachable from the sea. Java based units are so pants you have to give them every opportunity to hide behind something solid - mountains fit that description in my mind.

[Mynok]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Experimenting with ASW ac tactics; trying out the "ASW beam" - using 30 to 60 asw trained ac to search a very small
10-20 degree arc were enemy subs are patroling. Much better to create such "mouse traps" than using few ac to patrol a wide search arc.

It's working in my Guad game. Lots (relatively speaking) of float planes searching heavily only over restricted areas my ships have to go through have provided lots of targets for my few ASW ships. They've done some damage, but few sinkings. The E ships are by far the only semi-useful ASW ships the Japanese have.

[bklooste]

ORIGINAL: PzB

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;

The Japanese checked them and found them damage they then melted them down for war material.

[Cribtop]

I'm itching to learn where Phase II will go in. Any chance of a preview of the op's objectives and intentions when the time is right (i.e. right before you post the turn when the hammer falls)?

[PzB74]

I will shortly post a map over Phase II targets. This will only be one of 3-4 sub phases.
Need to think out the details and go over the logistics first.

Troops assembeled at Bandoeng will first participate in sub phase 2 or 3, so no hurry there.
Another guards division will arrive in 8 days while the accelerated Junyo will arrive in 12 days.
Cost me a lot of yard points but I want the Junyo to take charge of the 2nd Car Div.

Got a most cunning plan to create a gordian knot for Mr McPhie! [:D]


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 18, 42

Sub Attacks

Today we loose a small AKL while sinking a large AK with the apropriate name "Scottish (Mis)Chief".
I take this to be a sign of our Scottish Chief's hard times to come! [8D]

Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 27,45

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
xAK Scottish Chief, Torpedo hits 1

xAK Scottish Chief is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes at xAK Scottish Chief
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Submarine attack near Trivandrum at 27,45

Japanese Ships
SS I-27

Allied Ships
xAK Scottish Chief, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

xAK Scottish Chief is sighted by SS I-27
SS I-27 launches 6 torpedoes
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Sub attack near Makassar at 65,107

Japanese Ships
xAKL Jinsan Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAKL Tohuku Maru
xAKL Kumakawa Maru
PB Kensyo Maru

Allied Ships
SS S-37
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Ground Combat

We capture the last base near Java (expect for the Bandoeng mountain fortress)

Ground combat at Pamekasan (57,105)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3519 troops, 21 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127
Defending force 315 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Japanese adjusted assault: 27
Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 27 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Pamekasan !!!

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

Allied ground losses:
423 casualties reported
Squads: 39 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
Tanaka Detachment
Miura Det
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /4

Defending units:
Barisan KNIL Rgt /2
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[PzB74]

This is my initial plan for Phase II: Operation Hangover II - Another invasion of India!
- However, this plan looks so promising that I will use it in the game against Al instead [8D]

I have already played a game against Andy were I invaded India and he knows how to play it.

[PzB74]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 20, 42

Phase II - Part 1

Gentlemen, we're ready to roll out the next stage in this war! [8D]
- Invading India would be what Andy deepest down expects and no doubt he has prepared accordingly.

Never repeat a good thing, so we go for Australia this time!
If possible I may try to invade all of Australia, but if that's not practical the areas around Darwin - Derby and down to Cooktown will be included into the Empire.

This will force Andy to reinforce Australia with troops and supplies and the Navy will eagerly be waiting for him.
I'm also planning another expansion into the Pacific to make it easier to intercept Allied convoys and to spread Andy thin and force him to play a game he hasn't played before. He will find it much more difficult to follow the same route as in our last game. I expect him to move heavily against Burma already in a few months or earlier, so we have to be ready here - Rangoon is already Ack Ack city. More details about this later on.

Tomorrow we land with a major force at Darwin, looks like a small coastal fortress force is there together with PT boats, subs and mines. The larger force has been pulled back to Katherine, looks like Andy has learned from his mistakes against String.
This is ok we me though, got a most cunning plan regarding how to handle these troops.

In a few days a secondary landing will take place at Darwin, don't expect much opposition but we are ready for all circumstances.

The option to invade Perth is of course a possibility but will only be considered when / if we get bogged down by a major enemy force elsewhere in Oz - then it will be time to move focus.

[Mynok]

You don't need Wyndham. Nor Derby or Broome or the other one. Darwin, Katherine and Daly Waters are all you need.

[Monter_Trismegistos]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Phase II - Part 1

Booooring![>:] In AE everybody are attacking Northern Australia.

[PzB74]

Lol, maybe I should change my plans to entertain you better!-)
- Australia in itself is not the only target and Andy has to defend it and doing so will be challenging for him for quite some time to come.
Think it will take some time for the full plan to get into effect and to see what we can get out of the strategic situation.

Yes, most likely I can go in the main door at Darwin, but I got some troops to spare for the other bases.

In AE you have a handful of realistic options:
1. Something including India / Burma
2. Australia
3. New Caledonia, Fiji, New Zealand and the Pacific islands
4. Pearl Harbour
5. Aleutians - Alaska

Both 1 and 4 are quite extreme; Aleutians - Alaska is truly a bore.
A combination of 2 and 3 opens a lot of interesting possibilities.

[PzB74]

This is the next part of Phase II;

Not sure I'll move into Cooktown or simply unload in Normanton.
We will then be able to sweep down and cut of Cooktown and block the retreat rout for the defenders near Darwin.

- Cloncurry holds 400 resources, not bad.

Depending on the success achieved in this and the Darwin operation I will consider whether moving south to Brisbane and towards Sydney and / or landing in Perth.

Is there anyone out there that has occupied all of Oz in AE?
By late 43 much territory will have to be given up, but if played smart it could give the Allied player many headaches.

[Fishbed]

Landing at Normanton looks smart to me. Not the usual beachead...