Spilling Blood

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:20 am

It's December 8th and the Japs have landed everything at Mersing!

I am playing as the Allies, Panzerjaeger Hortlund is Japan. Looking for a fun match!

Neither of us are interested in any cheeseball stuff... but understand that it'll happen as quirks of the engine are discovered. I pledge that when I notice it happening on my end, I'll bring it up for discussion. I'm really interested in finishing the game too (play through auto-victory until final defeat kinda thing).

Scenario 2

No Jap Sub Doctrine
Realistic R&D
Dec 7th Surprise
No historical first turn
No reliable us torps
1 turn days (subject to modification during the “slow times”)
Fog of War On
Advanced Weather Effects
PDU on
Withdrawals on

Japanese may not strat bomb China resources. US Airgroups may only base out of China if a US Base Force is present in hex, and has enough aviation support to “support” all the US aircraft. No other af may base out of China hexes (except of course the Chinese). AVG is exempted from this rule.

Allies may not strat bomb any base initially owned by the Allies.

PP’s must be paid for moving units from boundries in restricted commands (Ie west coast/Canada or Kwangtung ect....)

US not allowed to create any new tf’s on turn 1, but may change orders to existing tf’s.

Allies may not change aircraft orders on turn 1 (except for the US CV’s at sea)

Arty/hex: If a division or less is in hex, 3 arty max. 2 Divisions, 4 arty. 3 Divisions, 5 Arty.
No sub invasions.

Can only invade in dot/base hexes.

No “cutting off 100,000 troops by paradropping 1/10 of a platoon in the retreat-hex”

Panzerjaeger Hortlund - asking that you please respect the game and not peek past this point...

BUSTED!!! hahaha Tell you what, I'll let you read the AAR once we get into the game... After we get through a few months of combat I'll let open it up to you, up to a certain 'page' (so you don't get too close to the ingame combat)

I was going to wait three months, then start the AAR and have it "open" to PZH... but then I've seen the "Mersing Gambit" go en vogue this last week, and wouldn't you know it, that's what's Panzerjaeger Hortlund has thrown at me.

Yeah, every single 'first turn bonus' TF that was heading to Malaya has been diverted to Mersing. As it stands right now, Dec 8th, I'm looking at 850AV in Mersing. I have 220 AV in Singapore, 100 in Khota Baru... and a bevy of enemy combat and transport ships in torp bomber range of the 'pore.

Seriously, tho, sorry Pz, this is the end, until we get going. I am looking forward to a fun, challenging game!

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:57 am

Here's the situation in Malaya, Dec 8th:

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 3:59 am

And the CR of the relevant battles in Malaya.

ASW attack near Kota Bharu at 52,75

Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi

Allied Ships
SS KXI, hits 1

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Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Ki-27b Nate x 80
Ki-27b Nate: 11 damaged

Airbase hits 17
Airbase supply hits 19
Runway hits 124

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Ki-21-IIa Sally x 52
Ki-27b Nate x 9

Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 11
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 83

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Alor Star , at 49,73

Ki-21-IIa Sally x 36
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 55

Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 131

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

Morning Air attack on Kuantan , at 51,79

Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 24
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 32

Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 1 destroyed, 7 damaged

Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-43-Ia Oscar bombing from 100 feet
31 x Ki-43-Ib Oscar bombing from 100 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Georgetown , at 49,74

Ki-21-IIa Sally x 27

Ki-21-IIa Sally: 2 damaged

Airbase hits 5
Runway hits 27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kota Bharu , at 51,75

Ki-21-IIa Sally x 22

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 10

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Kuantan , at 51,79

G4M1 Betty x 18

Airbase hits 7
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 20

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 6
Buffalo I x 13
139WH-3 x 5
Wirraway x 4

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Blenheim IV: 1 destroyed, 2 damaged
Buffalo I: 3 destroyed
139WH-3: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Wirraway: 2 destroyed, 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
AK Sasako Maru
xAK Meiten Maru
CM Kamome

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5

Allied aircraft
Blenheim I x 3
Buffalo I x 9
Swordfish I x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 2 destroyed
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryujo Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AK Kinka Maru
AK Hirokawa Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Ryujo Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 2

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
AK Sakura Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mersing at 51,82

Allied aircraft
Vildebeest III x 9

Allied aircraft losses
Vildebeest III: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
DMS W-5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Kyokko Maru

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Singora , at 51,72

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft
Blenheim IF x 4
Buffalo I x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-27b Nate: 1 destroyed on ground

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 4

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Uranami
DD Isonami
PB Tatsumiya Maru
SC Ch 9
SC Ch 7

CL Sendai firing at 22nd Australian Brigade
DD Uranami firing at 22nd Australian Brigade
DD Isonami firing at 22nd Australian Brigade
PB Tatsumiya Maru firing at enemy troops
SC Ch 9 firing at enemy troops
SC Ch 7 firing at enemy troops
DD Uranami firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 85 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

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

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 56th Infantry Rgt /2
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of 12th Engr Rgt
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad accidentally lost during unload of 12th Engr Rgt
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 12th Engr Rgt
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost in surf during unload of 12th Engr Rgt /2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Chosa Maru

PB Chosa Maru firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 91 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

Japanese ground losses:
130 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 25th Army /3
75mm T90 Field Gun damaged beyond repair during unload of 5th FA Rgt
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 25th Army
Motorized Support damaged beyond repair during unload of 25th Army
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt /2
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 41st Infantry Rgt
16 troops of a IJA Cavalry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Recon Rgt
Motorized Support lost in surf during unload of 5th Recon Rgt
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 11th Infantry Rgt /3
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 41st Infantry Rgt /2
10 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 41st Infantry Rgt /2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DD Shirakumo

DD Shirakumo firing at 22nd Australian Brigade
DD Shirakumo firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 92 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Fushimi Maru
xAK Ryoyo Maru

22nd Australian Brigade firing at xAK Fushimi Maru
xAK Fushimi Maru firing at enemy troops
xAK Ryoyo Maru firing at enemy troops
xAK Fushimi Maru firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 93 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

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

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost in surf during unload of I./143rd Infantry Bn
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost from landing craft during unload of I./143rd Infantry Bn
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of I./143rd Infantry Bn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
E Shimushu

E Shimushu firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 94 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of II./143rd Infantry Bn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Johore Maru

22nd Australian Brigade firing at xAK Johore Maru
xAK Johore Maru firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 95 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of III./143rd Infantry Bn
17 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad lost overboard during unload of III./143rd Infantry Bn

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

6 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 8

SC Ch 8 firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 97 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

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

18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 5th Engr Rgt
10 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 84th JAAF AF Bn
8 Aviation Support troops lost in surf during unload of 84th JAAF AF Bn
18 troops of a IJA Engineer Squad accidentally lost during unload of 5th Engr Rgt /2
Type 97 Medium Tank lost from landing craft during unload of 1st Tank Rgt

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pre-Invasion action off Mersing

7 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
PB Eiko Maru

PB Eiko Maru firing at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Mersing

TF 98 troops unloading over beach at Mersing, 51,82

Japanese ground losses:
48 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 91st Nav Gd
17 troops of a SNLF Squad lost overboard during unload of 91st Nav Gd /2

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Ground combat at Mersing (51,82)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2356 troops, 22 guns, 1 vehicles, Assault Value = 91

Defending force 27766 troops, 257 guns, 273 vehicles, Assault Value = 890

Japanese ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
22nd Australian Brigade
30 Battery/3 HAA

Defending units:
42nd Infantry Rgt /1
1st Tank Rgt /1
5th Recon Rgt /2
12th Engr Rgt /1
5th Engr Rgt /1
III./143rd Infantry Bn /1
91st Nav Gd /1
11th Infantry Rgt /1
I./143rd Infantry Bn /1
41st Infantry Rgt /1
56th Infantry Rgt /1
II./143rd Infantry Bn /1
32nd Fld AA Bn /1
5th Field AF Const Bn /1
25th Army /2
7th Field AF Const Bn /1
84th JAAF AF Bn /1
20th AA Rgt /1
5th FA Rgt /1
5th JAAF AF Coy /1

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:16 am

So that's the "relevant theater" for the moment. I've divided up the rest of the world into Regions, and will go through them briefly one by one.

North Pac: quiet

Central Pac: KB hit Pearl Harbor, however, but only 117 Vals and 132 Kates - given my opponents aggressive opening move, I'm wondering if the KB wasn't split, and 2 CV's are heading to another locale to support fast paced aggression there. Either way... : A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged ; B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed, 15 damaged; D3A1 Val: 12 destroyed, 54 damaged and Battleship Row wasn't looking too horrible. I wonder if KB is going to strike twice. If so, all fighters at PH are on 100% cap, at staggered altitudes from 9k up to 20k.

South Pac: quiet

NZ/NG: quiet

OZ: quiet

DEI: quiet (everything went after Mersing. There are a couple of Jap sctf's floting around southern Phillipines, one includes a CS ship. I'm going to get my Force X ready (not Force Z, it's a "me' creation) to intercept if the chance arrives. Force Z is outside of betty range, but still close enough to perhaps attack Mersing in a day. I'm leaning towards giving the trigger to hit Mersing on Dec 9th. I can not attack Mersing with Force Z today (range is just a bit too much). Hopefully the air attacks from Singapore on Mersing's escorts will put a torp or 4 into a number of BB's. The attack go/nogo will depend on the effectiveness of my torp planes as they attack the invasion fleet, and I know that if I do launch the trigger, I expect to lose the POW and Repulse when the follow-up netty air strikes.

Phillipines: Usual invasions except for nothing on the big southern isle. No port attack on Manila (27 subs are alive!!!). Many Jap SCTF's have arrive or are moving into position around the PI to block the thundering herd. Boise and Houston are ready to do battle. I have given orders for the 15ish B-17's at Cayagan to Port Attack Baedolog. Maybe I'll catch something good in port, and get a lucky die roll.

Burma/India: Troops are reorganizing. India forces are going to move to the Imphal line as my 3nd line of defense (after Rangoon and Malaya) after the first two weak lines. 25 Oscars swept Rangoon ( plus the 50 that attacked Kuantan, makes 80 so far), and that was about that. Looks like my ships in rangoon will escape.

China: whadda mess. Gave orders for my forces to attack 4 different jap held cities, which I can hopefully take 1 (Iachang, Singers, Nancung, and one other right in that circle, iirc). The others attacks will allow me to reorg everything, rest up all those disabled troops, and try to make heads or tails of China. Going to view Sian as a "not one step back" city. We'll see how that goes LOL.

khyberbill · Post by **khyberbill** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:45 pm

Have you considered making your Malaysia last stand in Georgetown instead of Singapore?

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:41 pm

YEs... I basically came up with three potential strategies:

1) Make Georgetown the final stand. This means I split my forces in 2. Those already in Singapore (200+ AV) and those not. Question: Will having these forces split lead to a faster demise for both?
2) Rail what I can to the Singapore and fight to the death. Question: Can I rail stuff to Singapore before a Jap armored unit cuts the peninsula?
3) Try to march what I can to Rangoon. Doubt they'd make it, but they would tie up resources and be a big pain in the arse to the Japs.

Next turn just came in... 2nd strike on PH occured. I butchered some Netties over Clark. Mersing fell.

khyberbill · Post by **khyberbill** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:04 pm

Can I rail stuff to Singapore before a Jap armored unit cuts the peninsula?

If he has armor in Mersing he can cut the rail line in two days-about the amount of time it takes to but a unit in strat mode.

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 11:31 pm

The race is on

I am making a secondary stand in Georgetown - with all the units that won't make it to singapore.

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:53 pm

[font="times new roman"]Dec 8th, 41[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]North Pac:  Quiet[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Central Pac:  The KB moved east of PH and struck the harbor again.  136 Kates were in the attack force (thus indicating that the KB does have all 6 CV’s).  It appears that my CAP shot down 20ish of them.  BB Row was hit again, all BB’s are heavily damaged, but none have sunk yet and none are on fire.  A DMS was also sunk.  This is about the “best” PH result I’ve been part of (on the Allied side).   This 2nd attack gives my CV’s time to get away.  I sent one of them to the Aleuts via Wake Island.  The other is heading south. I’m going to bring them all over to the DEI and see if I can do anything over there, or I might try for a Doolittle raid for the fun of it.  Dunno yet.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]South Pac:  Tarawa fell.  CV Enterprise *might* be able to catch the xports.  Orders have been given to proceed and attack.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Oz:  Troops are relocating to defensive positions.  I sent about 500AV up to the Darwin region to make this location a “combat point”  (in that, I intend to hope that the Japs attack here, so I can begin the attrition sooner).  In NG/New Britian, I haven’t sighted any invasion fleets yet.  I’m beginning to think that the normal Kavieng troops are headed elsewhere, like perhaps Shorty, Lunga, Efate, etc.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]DEI:  The Dutch AF sucks.  I moved a bunch of planes to Singkawang and Palemburg, sent about 30 of those bombers after the Japs at Mersing.  No hits, lots of losses.  Most of my ships fleeing the PI are taking the “north coast of Borneo” route (some are going across the pacific, some are trying to sneak down the southern route).  I hope to stop off at the small bases along the way and extract cadres (if not entire units) of troops. [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Malaya:  Mersing fell via assault today (1k AV).  Every INF LCU in the “northern bases” have been ordered to the ‘pore via rail.  THE RACE IS ON!!!!  Will they get railed to Singapore before Jap Armor cuts the peninsula?  We’ll find out.  Everyone be aware…. I gave these guys those orders to rail to Singapore on the first turn.  The Japs conquested Mersing on Day 2.  If the Japs can cut off the peninsula before the Brits get to Singapore – then imho it will be well worth the exposure of the ships at Mersing… which…. My British AF fails.  I launched everything at those ships (40ish bombers), again, and managed to score about 2 torpedos on some AK’s.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]I’ve ordered a small force in Khota Baru to head to Panning, maybe I’ll get luck and nothing will be there.  I do this with a 15AV unit, because 15AV isn’t going to stop anything, but taking Panning might force him to react to me and delay something else.  Same goes with Singora…. I sent a small force there to maybe get lucky and steal some supplies.  I gave orders for the troops in Tavoy to cross to the Japanese side and cut the rail line and stop supplies from flowing.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Force Z formed up around Ligga and accepted other ships into the TF.  I’ve given orders for them to ride to Mersing and disrupt the invasion.  There are Jap BB’s… 2 for sure.  I’m hoping that maybe I’ll encounter a couple of those transport fleets before clashing with the BB’s.  I’ve long range capped Force Z with everything I could, expecting a Netty strike.  I left all my torp planes on attack, hoping that Force Z will damage ships and split tf’s, leaving those ships free of enemy cap.  I give the POW and Repulse about a 20% chance of surviving.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]Phillipines:  My opponent is using his para’s to good use.  Jap SCTF’s have taken position around the PI to catch the Thundering Herd.  In a “good day” for the Clarkies – I put all the airgroups in all those little fields around Clark on LRCAP 100%.  The Japanese came in with 65 Zeros and 20sih betties, to my 100 or so fighters.  The fight was even as far as losses go.  Then later, 50ish Netties came in unescorted, and I shot them up fairly good: 10-12 losses.  My Catilina search planes scored about 7-8 hits on various DD’s CA’s around the PI.[/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"] India:  Quiet.  [/font]
[font="times new roman"] [/font]
[font="times new roman"]China:  Usual opening moves.  Various plane strikes.  Japs are moving on Hong Kong, and looks like movement orders are given to begin mopping up all the small “behind the lines” units.  Multiple air attacks on Changsha indicates that this might be their line of attack.  [/font]

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:07 pm

Dec 9th, 41

North Pac: Quiet

Central Pac: No third strike on PH. All my BB's remain afloat.

South Pac: No news. Which is a good thing, because on Dec9th, all news is bad news.

Oz: Quiet. Re-orgs appear. I'm thinking, giving the aggressiveness of my opponent, that a "late December PM Invasion" is going to happen.

DEI: The Dutch AF still sucks. 30 more bombers attack the ships at Mersing, 30 more epic fails.

Malaya: Singapore airforce sucks. Force Z sucks. The brave biplane bastards bringing the punk at the 'pore flew again. 30sih bombers with adequate cap. I think I scored maybe one bomb hit. Sigh.

Force Z Sucks. They rode hard into battle today, into Mersing. And promptly managed to get surprised by the Japanese. Cuz you know, the allies had NO IDEA that there were ~10 task forces at Mersing. The Allies had NO IDEA that there were BB's there. :rolleyes: So battle commenced between Force Z and the Japanese Kotu Bharu sctf with it's pair of BB's, and by the time the "surprise" phase was over, the POW was resting on the bottom of the ocean. But fret not... I managed to score FOUR hits on the Japanese Fleet. Yeah!!!!! Four friggin hits, spread out over three ships (none of them BB's).

But at least Force Z can do one thing well, and that's run. And run they did, there were no netty strikes on it. So at lease the Repulse will survive.

Phillipines: The Thundering Herd has broken out of the Manila triangle. Now it's mad dash to escape from Jap LBA.

India: Quiet.

China: Usual training bomb attacks.

Thoughts on the Mersing Gambit: At this point, I have no idea why anyone wouldn't do this always. In about 2 days, the peniunsula will be cut in half - and my only hope of not losing Singapore in a week, is if my troops from up north can make it via rail to Singapore before it gets cut.

As far as the Mersing Gambit being "dangerous"? Pfft. Whoop-dee-doo - I've sunk about 5 transports, scratched the paint on a couple CA's. In the meantime, within three days Singapore's airgroups were shot to heck (I've always been able to keep them semi-threatening for longer), Force Z lost a BC and maybe a couple DD's Cl's to *ahem* damage a CA or two. How depressing.

I dunno - it kinda felt like I'm rolling all 1's instead of 20's in Malaya.... which counters the *no BBs sunk* at Pearl. Yeah, BB Row survived. The second strike left 7 BB's heavily damaged but without fires. They should all make it. They will avenge this dastardly attack.

khyberbill · Post by **khyberbill** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:49 pm

It is important to rescue fragments of as many Indian troops as you can. They get enough reinforcements to rebuild in a decent amount of time. In one of my PBEMs, all of them are now besieging Rangoon in mid 43. If you can get lots of the Aussie brigade out too, that is a plus.

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:59 pm

Long Range floatplanes work wonders for that

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:41 am

Lets go ahead and take us back to Dec 8th... and take a look at the PI...

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:57 am

And a roundup of Dec 8th action in the PI...

Various PT's, and MTB's & DD's fleeing HK, engage Jap ships, no lucky shots on my end, I lose a pair of PT's and MTB's. 2 DD's lightly damaged.

I had suspected a port strike on Manila today... and capped/lrcapped everything I had to Manila. Iba, Clark, Manila, (that base jus south of Manila with the P26's). As suspected, the dirty nip attacked Manila.

First Wave: 26 Zero's at 16k v. 63P40's and 12 P26's between 12-20k. 3 Zeros lost for 2 P40's

Second Wave:
Weather in hex: Light rain
Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
G3M2 Nell x 41
G4M1 Betty x 20

Allied aircraft
P-26A x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 43

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 10 destroyed

About 5 ships will sink.

Third Wave: 3 Zeros v. *5* P40's. That's it, my airforce is shot. Done. Finito.

-----------

Zeros sweep Iba, no planes on cap there.

In the afternoon, my SOC-1 Seagulls at Manila get into the action, planting a bomb firmly on the deck of xAKL Hanakawa Maru starting many fires.

A port strike from B-17's in Cayagan on Babeldaob does nothing.

Busuanga and Lubang both fall to Jap paratroopers.

The Boise and Houston have formed up 2 hexes west of Legaspi. They are going to try and intercept a less powerful SCTF. Many Japanese SCTF's have moved into blocking position, to corral the thundering herd. The slaughter is on. You've all seen it before, so I won't bore you with it.

In the email, Pzr wondered "where" all those P40's came from.... most of them were OK after the Dec 7th strike, and being spread around to all the af's around Clark helps. The next day, every single one of the LRCapped Manila expecting a port strike.

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:10 am

KB whereabouts.

As noted, KB moved SW of PH and struck a second day. Afterwords, search planes out of Midway, Johnston, Palmyra, and PH tracked the KB as it moved towards Kwaj, until it was out of search plane range.

Combat results of the 2nd days strike:

Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107

Weather in hex: Moderate rain always helpful

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet. That idiot seargent isn't dismissing THIS strike as B-17's
Estimated time to target is 51 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 65
B5N2 Kate x 137

Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 41
P-40B Warhawk x 46

95 crap fighters with crap exp vs. the cream of the Jappo Croppo
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 11 destroyed, 49 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 3 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 2 destroyed

[:D] [&o] [:D] [&o] [:D]

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
BB California, Torpedo hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DMS Chandler, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
CL Detroit, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1
DD Bagley
BB Tennessee, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
CL Honolulu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1
CL St. Louis, Torpedo hits 1

Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 2

All in all, I can't be happier with the results after 2 days of the KB. I figure that half those Kates damages was FOW (25 out of 50). Half of those damaged probably made it home (12 out of 25).... so with the ones destroyed (11), I figure I bagged 20-30 exp 80 Kate pilots [&o] Not to mention the 50 Vals damaged the day earlier [:D]... and the Zeros

And, just to show you that I'm not stratosphering the aircombat engine...

CAP engaged:
18th PG/19th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 11 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 13000 , scrambling fighters between 11000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 34 minutes
18th PG/44th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 35 minutes
15th PG/45th PS with P-36A Mohawk (0 airborne, 12 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters between 6000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 20 minutes
15th PG/46th PS with P-36A Mohawk (0 airborne, 16 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 7000 , scrambling fighters between 3000 and 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 18 minutes
15th PG/47th PS with P-40B Warhawk (0 airborne, 10 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 7000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes

The question is... was it all worth it for him?

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:20 am

Here's Battleship Row on December 12th, 1941.

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:30 am

THey are all going to make it. Pretty darn good results if you ask me!

I put them all on pierside repair, to bring that sys damage to 0 asap, then I'll work on some of their engines and floation, send some of them back to the WC. Unless there is a surprise, mid-late Dec PH strike or they get torped ont he way home... coolness!

On the 8th, the CL Boise and CA Houston paired up a few hexes w/sw of Manila. The waited until the found a decent prey. On the 10th, search planes showed only 1 CL and 5-8 DD's covering an invasion of Miri. This was the break I needed. Orders give, Full Speed direct to Miri. A nighttime ntercept occurs, the Allies engage a small surface force of 1CL and 4 DD's on the 11th!!! Time for a slaghter

of the Japs as the Boise and Houston ride into battle against much weaker prey! Sweet!

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:37 am

[X(] !!!NOOOOOOOO!!! [X(]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Miri at 64,86, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Isonami
DD Murakumo, Shell hits 2, on fire [:@]

Allied Ships

CA Houston, Shell hits 20, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage

CL Boise, Shell hits 1

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 46% moonlight: 11,000 yards
Range closes to 10,000 yards...
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 8,000 yards
Japanese launch Long Lance torpedoes at 8,000 yards before allies detect Japanese presence (good job jappers)

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:50 am

Dec 11th:

Miri, Aparri, Hwaiyin, Surigao, Davao, San Fernando, fell.

Wake fell on the first assault. Darn. Usually they can hold out for a while if they defeat the first assault.

AcePylut · Post by **AcePylut** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:25 pm

Dec 13th:

I’ve been delaying this AAR, because I’d like to get a couple months into game-time and then open it up to Pzr for discussion.

As of right now, I’d say it’s open to Pzr, but I will restrict what I discuss unless those plans have already borne fruit.

So lets get to the action… The Mersing Gambit.

THE RACE TO SINGAPORE... is over. December 11th, a Jap armored force was able to cut the peninsula in 2. This happened before I could move any forces from up north, down south to Singapore. The Johor Bahru forces retreated in good order to Singapore, giving me upwards of 350AV. I can not seem to build forts in Singapore, despite 45k supplies and no damage to anything. But no matter, it’s going to be over before New Years anyways.

To try and delay the inevitable, I turned “on” replacements for Singapore, and put most of my combat troops on “rest” to remove disablements. I turned replacements “on” for two reasons… #1 build up AV to try and delay Singapore’s fall as long as possible, #2 burn up supplies lest the Jappers get them.

Up North, you’ll note from the picture, that the 8th Indian Brigade has moved from Khota Bahru towards Paning. This is done for three o reasons: #1, I might get lucky and find no enemy AV in Panning, and perhaps score a quick base-flip with supplies. #2: Force Pzr to respond to my movements, perhaps force him to move a couple of inf units to Panning to prevent invasion, that were heading elsewhere. #3 Provide a target for the 200 bombers Pzr has in the area. Yeah, you heard that right, I want them to get attacked with the Japanese bombers… because…

I have decided upon Taiping as my “last stand” for the northern troops. The jungle/forest will really reduce casualties caused by aircraft. Taiping also has what Georgetown doesn’t have… a level zero port. Japanese will (and have been) keeping Georgetown shutdown as it’s an obvious point to defend. But I don’t like the clear hex that it’s in, and Taiping is soo “not” a place to take a stand, that that’s where I’m making it, given the circumstances.

That level zero port in taping? Perfect. I have transports (xAP’s and xAk’s from Singapore and Rangoon) disbanded in harbor. Since the troops arriving in Taiping are nice enough to be in strat mode, that provides easiness in being transported OUT of Malaya. I loaded up 5 transports with various units, and gave orders to move out to India proper.

The bait has been taken. The Japs sent their entire airforce to kill the 8th Indian Brigade. This tells me that the Japs have nothing at Panning except 0 AV Base Forces. My transports spent the day loading up at Taiping, and were able to move out in the cover of night. We’ll see if tomorrow brings Mrs. Netty over them.

While I know the 8th is doomed to defeat. The quick response by aircraft makes me think I caught Pzr off-guard with this one. Ultimately, the bait’s success depends on how many troops get out of Taiping, not weather or not the 8th takes Panning. So far so good. I decided to use the 8th for bait because it’s 110 AV is nothing to laugh at.

DEI: All my Dutch patrols moved to Koepang, Soerjaba (sp), Batavia, and Osthaven. They have setup a multi-step process to extract as many troops as possible from Bornea and Malaya. The cadre’s are headed to Darwin, and points south of there, for rebuilding.

Thoughts on the Mersing Gambit: So what’s the best way to defend it? In the future, instead of making Force Z run for the hills as fast as possible, I will send it to Ligga (that island a couple hexes south of Singapore) with reaction to 6 (which puts Mersing in range). Ligga is outside of zero and netty torpedo range, close enough for good cap, to spring a Buffalo ambush or two at the cost of bomb hits. The only way I see the Mersing Gambit being stopped (or slowed down so much that it becomes a strategic blunder for the Japanese), is to have Force Z rip up the covering Jap surface fleets, then ravage the transports. It’s a tall order under the best of circumstances – but if you don’t do that, then you don’t really have a chance. I can’t think of any other (other than a 1 in a billion die roll) to stop the Japs from kicking out the Mersing troops on the first attack, then cutting the peninsula before you can rail troops back to Singapore. You’re planes can get a few hits, but not stop the invasion. Force Z, if everything goes right, might do it.

IMHO - other than Force Z, you do not have any capable forces that can dent the invasion fleet enough to make the gambit a blunder.

Sacrifice Force Z. Because right now it’s Dec 22, and I’m staring at 1k AV with 400+ AV in Singapore and a level 1 fort.

Rest of the World:

I’ll update later, if I feel like it, and provide a pic when I get home. There’s not a whole lot to discuss that hasn’t been covered in every AAR to date. A fter all, how exciting is it to hear that the Japs landed at Apparri – again – like they do in every single WITP game? Not much to discuss, usual moves.

One thing of note: Guam and HK’s defenders hold up against shock attacks.

I am going to try and discuss China in depth… I love this theater. There is so much you can do!!!!

Spilling Blood

Spilling Blood

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

RE: Spilling Blood - Scen 2 - Allies (AP) vs. Japan (Panzerjaeger Hortlund) - No PZH

Spilling Blood