Don Quijote against the Japanese Windmills. Seydlitz (J) against traskott (A). Allied side AAR

[traskott]

So, here we go.

After my last PBEM on which I lost 3 USN CVs in a mere 5 months, plus Brisbane, I hope this time my performance will be better.

I'll post (initially) lots of information, plans, OOB, and general strategies. After the initial onslaught, thinks will go more slow and will post only the more relevant events, or my more important plans.

Ok. So..

Here are the H.R., developed by Fletcher, with some interesting adds from the own seydlitz.

AE Historical Game Project

1. – Game Settings

Scenario 1 Grand Campaign

FOW: ON
Advanced weather: ON
Allied damage control: ON
PDU: ON
Historical first turn: Yes
December 7th surprise: ON
Reliable USN torpedoes: OFF (i.e., not reliable)
Realistic R&D: ON
No unit withdrawals: OFF (i.e., units must withdraw)
Reinforcement Variability: highly variable
Turn cycle: 1 day


2. – General home rules as follows:

#1 - only allowed landings/invasions at dots/bases
#2 - Full PP for transfer of units from restricted HQs

#3 - No air night attacks with <50 moonlight before 1943
#4 - Night bombing can only be made at or above 3,000 feet.

Plus the following specific rules as detailed below.


3.- HOME RULES

The normal House rules to prevent anti-historical situations or gameys:

- KB will make a single attack on Pearl Harbor, and will return to Japan, if the first assault on Wake results in failure, you may transfer the returning units deemed necessary to complete a second operation.
- Americans cannot react to the landings at Tarawa, Wake and Miri (those initially planned by the Japanese) to avoid gameys (it's absurd to think that the Americans had been waiting for the Japanese in destinations unexpected). Once the first landings take place Americans are relieved from this rule (if not landings occur, by 14th of that month).
- Japanese submarines can only be equipped with the seaplane E14Y1 Glenn.
- No parachute unit portion deployments (one unit-à one target)
- No submarine invasions (with one exception, Marine Rangers from SST submarines). USS Argonaut, USS Seawolf, USS Nautilus, and USS Dolphin.
- All PT torpedo boats in a hexagon base must be in the same TF.
-Four-engine LBs cannot operate below 10,000 feet in naval attack missions.
-The selection of leaders for Naval Task Forces should be adjusted to its size (Admirals for forces of several battleships or even battle cruisers, vice admirals for very important operational forces with BB or CVs, no ASW groups with a leader other than Captain, CPT-LtCdr-Cdr)
-The Malacca Strait cannot be crossed by surface ships of the Imperial Navy until Singapore has fallen to the Japanese player.
- Tokyo cannot be bombarded with an atomic bomb.

3.1 Chinese Theater Home Rules

- It is not allowed to either side the bombardment of the industry in Chinese bases. Industry in China was mainly artisanal and any bombardment of the same does not faithfully reproduce the damage on it. The attacks against the "manpower" are allowed (if the damage causes damage to the Chinese industry is simply a reflection of the fact that the damage on the population and resources is serious enough to affect it).

- The airbases in China cannot operate with four-engine bombers. There will be a limit up to a maximum of 4 squadrons of four-engine non-Chinese (U.S.) LBs and may be operated only from aerodromes of level 6 or higher. The air support to the operational bases of these squads must be by American units.

- Chinese forces cannot go outside its borders except those assigned to the NCAC.
- No Chinese troops may enter Burma until the fall of Rangoon.
- The maximum number of Chinese forces under NCAC in November 1942 must be 9 divisions. (A Chinese Corps = 3 infantry divisions)

-The AVG can not be transferred out of China or Burma. In other words no transfer to Singapore or the DEI for use there.


3.2 House Rules regarding Kwantung Army

1. - Units should pay political points to get out of Kwantung.
2 .- Artillery units may leave up to a maximum of 1 artillery regiment or battalion regiments for every 3 regiments or equivalent units who have already paid the political price to exit Kwantung.
3. - No Kwantung HQs may leave until 1944 or until the invasion of the Mariana Islands (Operation A-Go), the occupation of Rangoon or the occupation of a base in DEI with an airfield with level 4 or higher occurs.
4.-Until June 1942 no air unit can be extracted from Kwangtung, and thereafter it can be done but up to a monthly Daitai but always keeping 4 Fighter Daitais and 8 bombers Daitais in Manchuria. This does not prevent any air operation from Manchuria to China.
5 .- If the Japanese player decides that he wants to attack the Soviet Union he will previously invade Soviet territory in any hexagon without provoking any attack, causing the activation of Soviet forces. The war may be caused but will not count on with the surprise factor.
6. - Once Soviets are activated, no Japanese Kwangtung Army unit may get an HQ reassignment, except isolated units that can be evacuated by sea unless the Soviets have been decisively defeated.

3.3 Home Rules regarding the D.E.I

1. - Dutch Air units cannot be disbanded nor can they be withdrawn.
2. - Dutch ships may operate in Indic Ocean waters or between Australia and New Guinea, but not in the Pacific.
3. - Dutch submarines can operate within the waters that lie between the South China Sea and northern Australia (the area of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes and Timor).
4. - The garrison requirements must be observed (you cannot ignore the garrison requirements for acts of sabotage before the Japanese occupation).
5.- During 1942-1943 the Allies may not conduct bombing operations against resources / oil / refineries in the DEI
6 .- The IJA Japanese units must have a minimum of 25 planning points to land in any of the enemy DEI bases.

3.4 Home Rules regarding the Philippines

1.-All American troops should have replacements OFF.

2.-Philippine based air units may not receive replacement aircraft other than by disbanding other Philippine based air units into those units.

3.-Philippine based air units may not be disbanded or withdrawn in a manner that would result in the transfer of aircraft or the pilots back into the aircraft or pilot pools. If the unit is withdrawn, the allied player must answer “no” to the reform unit in x days question.

4.-Manila is an open city. During the initial Japanese conquest, MacArthur declared Manila to be an open city. As such, the allies may not build additional fortifications there and must retreat from the hex rather than fighting battles for it when the Japanese reach the city. The Japanese player may not use this to his advantage by trying gamey tactics (like paradrop, etc) to take the city early. He can only take the city as part of a general advance from the north, south, or east. After Japan has conquered all of Luzon, all bets are off and Manila is no longer an open city.

5.-The U.S. only may run sub transport missions into Bataan only carrying supplies and evacuating units only after allied forces have retreated into Bataan or to resupply/evacuate other isolated or cut off units. There is no restriction on using surface or air transport at any time to move supplies or troops in our out.

3.5 Home Rules regarding Australia (including New Zealand)

- The attack on Australia should wait until Timor, Ambon, Kendari, Mandanao, Batavia Soerabaja and are under Japanese control since the Japanese supply lines could have been attacked from these bases.

- The Japanese player can start landing in Australia once he has a reserve of 3000 political points. Once started, political points should be kept until the capture of all ports in northern Australia (Darwin, Wyndham-Broome-Port Hedland-Broome) (preemptive invasion option) or once Perth, or Sydney or Melbourne or Brisbane have fallen into Japanese hands (choice of long-range strategic operation). Once these goals achieved, the Japanese player will be relieved to spend those reserve political points in what he considers best.
- Additionally, IJA units to be landed on Australian territory must have a minimum of 80 preparation points (not needed for IJN ground units).

-In case of a Japanese invasion of Australia, Allies will not be able to spend political points in any other option other than sending forces to Australia by any means or medium, whether land or air forces (with the exception of points to reassign leaders).

3.6 Home Rules regarding India

1 .- During 1942, no Restricted allied unit in India may change its command area.
2 .- If Japanese forces cross the border with India, all political points spent by units of the Commonwealth can only be made to send reinforcements units to India.
3.- If the Japanese player wants to take the decision to invade Indian borders before 1944 he must also have a stock of political points (just as in the case of Australia). This reserve will be of 4,000 political points and will be relieved from the obligation to maintain it at the time they fall into his hands either Calcutta or Bombay or Colombo and Trincomalee. Also, all units of the IJA that are to cross the border with India or land in Ceylon must have at least 80 preparation points.

3.7 Home Rules regarding Thailand

1. - Thai ground forces may carry out tasks stationed at bases in Burma no more than 3 hexes from the Thai border.

2. - The territory of Thailand shall not be violated in any way by the U.S. ground forces. U.S. air and naval forces are free to operate over Thailand without restriction. British are exempt from this rule.


3.8 Restrictions on the Royal Navy

1. - Until September 1942 no high-value (HV) units (consider CV, CVL, BB, BC) will operate in the Pacific (except for repairs, transit to ports in US and return from them).
2. - From January 1943 a single high-value naval unit could operate in the Pacific (as happened with HMS Victorious in the Solomon campaign, which operated alongside the USS Saratoga)
3. - From 1945 onwards the Royal Navy can operate freely in the Pacific (creation of the Pacific Fleet under U.S. command).

3.9 Restrictions on the US

1. - In case of a invasion in Hawaii, all reassignments of restricted troops will be to operate in Hawaii.
2. - The high-value vessels of the Pacific Fleet (BB, CV) will operate only between the West Coast and Hawaii until Hawaii islands are fully recovered.

[traskott]

Overall Strategy

I have always played with non-historical start, so I hope a less stressed beginning this time.

I've in midn this global scheme of the war:

a) Slow the japanese advance, using strongpoints where fix his forces and slow it down as much as possible.

b) No "space for time". No any kind of sir robins. I'll put my defenses as far as I possible to avoid easy claims to the japanese.

c) Developement of a hub of bases PH-Lahaina-Christmas-Pago-Suva-Luganville-Noumea-Brisbane. They will be fully developed as soon as posible, with secondary bases to allow a better defense. I'll stock on them enough supplies and fuel to the 1943 advances. ( My ideal goal: 1 millon supplies/fuel in at least 3 of those bases ).

d) In 1942 I'll look for ONE (just one) zone, where it would be possible mantain the japanese stressed, to erode it's pools, and avoiding it's fortification labour.

e) I'll NEVER commit my CVs except: Attack over troop convoys with valuable units inside. Invasion of Hawai, PagoPago, Fiji, Noumea or Australia.

f) If any of this posibilities happen, reinforcements will be send inmediately and a new counterattack in another zone will be launched to make him reassign troops.

g) If we arrive at 1943, and it's possible, the counterattack will be launched in differents axis, at diferent places, or will use the soviet doctrine.

h) Less the electric boats, or SST, and restricted per HR SS, all Silent Service will be aimed to cripple the japanese convoy system.

[edited one base. Thanks to Cantona2 for the advice]

[traskott]

Some pics to show the initial turn:

[traskott]

STRATEGIES:

FILIPINNES: Hold in Battan til last bullet. HQ USAAFE is moving towards the fortress with engineers and AA groups.

On the meantime some PI divisiones will try to delay the japaneses landing at the north.

In the south, my "personal gamble" is launch the two US tank bons plus the cavalry regiment against the landings in Legazpi to thrown them back to the sea.

DEI:

Sumatra: Everybody able to man a weapon ( ie: with AV ) will go to Palembang and Medan which will be fortified. Minefiels will be placed in both ports, if posible.

Java: Although Soerabaja and Batavia are been fortificating, my main goal is disrupt the japanese landings. because once they are ashore, it's just matter of time. Where will he do the disembark? Semarang is the top one, so....the two CD units in Batavia and Soerabaja will move there when the japanese were incoming ( early warning here is a must ), and, with luck, make the attack costly.

Bornea: Nothing special. Pulling out fuel, oil, resources, making forts and moving LCU to few strategic points.

AUSTRALIA:

As in my previous PBEM it was invaded, I have reworked all the defensive system around OZ. Two armoured reserved will be asembled at Charter Towers (main airfield in the zone), and Toowomba (to avoid nasty susprises on the coast between Townsville and Brisbane), plus another one, more small, at Tennant Creek. The components of the Aus Divs will be reunited in one place, but don't merge to make the upgrades more easy ( thanks to Andy Mac for his useful post [:)] ). 6th and 7th will go here.

PH:

Nothing special. 24th and 25th will garrison Hawai til the main japanses effort is located.

[traskott]

Oh ! BTW: Feel free to coment, make suggestions, or whatever question you want&nbsp;[:)]

[cantona2]

Good luck traskott. As a fellow AFb and Fletcher's opponent using the same HRs I will be following this AAR and Seydlitz's.

In terms of your bases WC-Aus line. Maybe Efate/Luganville is a better option than Lunga. They are mutually supporting and more difficult to isolate than Lunga, which is out on a limb and even more so when Rabaul/Shortlands is in Jap hands.

[traskott]

thanks you, Cantona2&nbsp;[:)].

Noted. I'll do as you suggest [;)].

[Fletcher]

Hi Traskott !
I wish you the best of lucks !... I can see my opponent is suggesting ideas, good ideas, of course!!. I will follow this AAR like Seydlitz´s AAR closely.
About your overall strategy, excellent.
Don´t forget your defensive mine warfare. Minelay ops to enclose all D.E.I. straits to enemy submarine activity could be very interesting to improve your D.E.I.sealift capacity avoiding japanese submarine intruders.
I wish you an amazing game ! I am pretty sure about this with Seidlitz like your opponent
Cheers!
Ramón

[offenseman]

I usually only follow one side of an AAR but in this game, I will follow both sides.&nbsp; Thanks for doing the AAR and sharing your results with us.

[traskott]

Thanks offenseman. I hope you enjoy reading the AAR.

[traskott]

First engagement of the Royal Navy:

The Thracian, Scout and Thanet sailed to engage the enemy and, in a gallant combat, hit severals japanese DDs:

Fumikuze - 3 hits - on fire.
Minazuki - 2 hits
Satsuki - 2 hits - damaged.
Nagatsuki -2 hits - damaged.

Mi Flying Fortress have bombed the port of Takao with no results til moment. Next target: Baelboad (spelling?).

Near PH, my DDs attack the severals SSs spotted around Hawai, with no results til the moment.

Makin has fallen to the japanese forces. I'll send the 56th CD to Canton to say hello to the japanese.

Every LCU in Australia has begun to move. A new defensive plan has been setup. Hope it works.

Several Sqn are ready to be embarked at San Francisco, plus some LCU. San Diego says good-bye to the marines, which embark to pago pago. One escort TF around the Saratoga is been asembled.

Not screens now, sorry.

[Fletcher]

The Thracian, Scout and Thanet sailed to engage the enemy and, in a gallant combat, hit severals japanese DDs:

Fumikuze - 3 hits - on fire.
Minazuki - 2 hits
Satsuki - 2 hits - damaged.
Nagatsuki -2 hits - damaged.

Excellent work for your Royal Navy destroyers (HK DIVISION) !
Best of lucks !
Ramón

[traskott]

BTW, two of the Her Majesty Ships has been sunk by Nells based in Takao. [:(]. Well...As usual, the RN fight galantry against the japanese, and lose, as expected [8|].

[Fletcher]

Hi Traskott !
Doesn´t matter !!!.. YOur ships fighted to the end, in the task, they accomplished with their mission to bug enemy naval movements in the Luzon north approaches !.. I think it´s a interesting movement at start with RN DD Div at HK. Seydlitz will need to pay H.I. to repair these ships and probably they will be some time at repairs shipyard. Any headache for Japanese player is wellcomed ! (I hope Cantona2 will not thinking the same[:D])
I´ll follow closely
Best of lucks !
Ramón

[traskott]

9th Dicember 1941

It's a bad day for the ASW forces:

The I-4 has sunk with just 1 torpedo the DD Reid, near Pearl Harbour. Retaliation by the DD Selfridge has had no effect.

One Minelaying TF has been forced to back home. The minelayer CMc Propatria has been sunk by the I-153 with 3 torpedoes. ( No minelayer, no minelaying mission )

To add salt to the injury...



Wanna bet? DUD !!!

The TKs Semiramis and Manvantara has been sunk by the I-154 and I-155. First the 154, then the 155. That's discipline....

Besides, the transports Hinsang, Ming Sang, Nanning, Munlock and Hai Lee has fallen, preyed by Nates and Sonias, at Hong Kong.



On the bright side, Wake island CD defenses has pummeled the amphibious TF..







All of them by 5in CD guns, so heavy damage is expected. The shock attack was a failure, with heavy losses.

And we can say good bye to the Kates of Ryujo for some weeks. The escort stayed at the ship so..:





Several convoys have been asembled at WC. Soon will go to the "chain" to create and mantain a line of defense. Tarawa was captured, so they are very near of the "line in the sand".


Extrange: On the combat report one allied DD hits a mine at Bataan, and sank in the next damage phase. However, according to tracker, I've no lost any DD...

[Fletcher]

Hi traskott !!
Excellent job for your USAFFE Air Corps against enemy torpedo-bombers !... Ryujo will need to return home to reemplace the lost aircrafts ! Where they will be surprised ?. Bad luck with your first sub-vs-sub attack with the damn Mark.XIV, you will get it the next time
Best of lucks
ramón

[traskott]

10/12/41


WAR RAGES ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Wake holds !!





The commander of the PT-boats sqn is a shy skypper [&:][&:][&:]



Fierce combats over Singapore:



Ferocious A2A Battles over Philipinnes. Part 1:



Part 2:



Aparri falls !!





Besides, BigE is now at PH, where she'll wait LadyLex, and then they will move to the Far South, to cover the convoys which are beggining to sail to Hawai/Noumea/Australia...


BTW: As usual, even with more room than neccesary, cadres of LCU has been left in San Francisco. What happened with the embark routine? [:(]

[traskott]

The next day (10/12/41) a little ship, with a very little captain begin to act....it's the U.S.S.Boise [:D]:







Hehehehehehehe..Good work, Moran !!

But Boise it's not the only winner this day:



Yes, the PGs Tulsa and Asherville has found the enemy and put a good fight !!!

On the skies of Philippinnes, war rages on ! :



And finally, after two days with the orders given, the FF take off and:



At the end, a good day for the Allies. Even with the lost of a couple more of AKs and TKs NE of Java, thing don't go bad.

[Fletcher]

Hi Traskott !
A Presidential Mention for USS BOISE will be needed ! [;)]
Congratulations
Best of lucks
Ramón

[aciddrinker]

Your opponent is doing so many mistakes, no blocking forces to intercept possible raiders, no mini KB in landings area? Poor actions from air forces. Invasion on Wake whit only default forces.&nbsp;