US Naval War College Communications (Allied only)

[herwin]

This is scenario 1 with Blitzk playing Japan and herwin playing the Allies. It has variant victory conditions--if Japan avoids attacking Hawaii, Alaska, or the continental US, the war ends earlier. The War Plan Orange AAR describes our last match. Here are the rules:

If the Allied player has a sea line of communications (a continuous path with air superiority) between North America and a fleet base in the Philippines and from there to a forward base in the Ryukyus, Korea, or Japan by 31 January 1944, he wins a decisive victory. If this requirement is met by 30 April 1944, this is a regular Allied victory. By 31 July 1944, a marginal victory, by 31 October 1944, a draw, by 31 January 1945, a Japanese marginal victory, by 30 April 1945, a Japanese regular victory, and by 31 July 1945 or later, a decisive Japanese victory.

If at any time, the Japanese player attacks a hex in Alaska, Hawaii (excluding Midway), or continental North America, the Allied player has an additional two years (just so) to meet his requirements for a victory.

The purpose of this scenario is to explore the Pacific campaign as both sides expected it to take place.

On December 7th, 1941, President Roosevelt comes on the radio to report: "The Empire of Japan has attacked American possessions in the Western Pacific and the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Germany and Italy have activated the mutual support clause in the Axis Treaty, and have also declared war on the United States. I am meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and have been in contact with Prime Minister Churchill, Secretary Stalin, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The United States is now at war and I am declaring a State of Emergency."

There are unconfirmed reports of air attacks on the Royal Navy in Singapore and a submarine attack on the US Battle Fleet. No damage is reported by allied sources.

[herwin]

Learned from the previous game:

1. Japan has to maintain a high tempo in the early game, or it will be easy for the Allies to get inside his command and control loop.
2. Japan has to keep significant carrier forces in the central position. The KB took a trip from east to west along the Java Sea during mid-December, and Force Z was waiting at the western end. Shokaku took a DD fish in the loose scrum. Meanwhile Halsey (carriers) and Kimmel (Battle Fleet) were stomping on Japanese bases in the Eastern Mandates in preparation for amphibious operations in the spring.
3. Japan has to make Singapore untenable for shipping and surface forces. During December, I was using Singapore to repair badly damaged warships, praying that blitzk wouldn't investigate there.
4. Japan has to run an aggressive submarine campaign.
5. Japan has to do something about the Chinese offensive against Hankow.
6. Japan has to hit Luzon and the southern Philippines simultaneously and hard.

[thegreatwent]

Looks interesting.

[Capt. Harlock]

On December 7th, 1941, President Roosevelt comes on the radio to report: "The Empire of Japan has attacked American possessions in the Western Pacific and the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Germany and Italy have activated the mutual support clause in the Axis Treaty, and have also declared war on the United States.

So, no Pearl Harbor raid. This will be interesting -- I've always thought that Japan's only real chance was not to attack Pearl Harbor but to invade the DEI only at first, which would certainly provoked a declaration of war from the Allies. This would have strengthened the isolationists and made it impossible to mobilize U.S. industry and manpower at the levels that were historically done. A pity the effects to the U.S. economy can't be simulated except by extensive modding.

And it looks like one of the keys to Japanese victory is not to activate the Soviets. (Which would make it much easier to get that base in Korea.)

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

On December 7th, 1941, President Roosevelt comes on the radio to report: "The Empire of Japan has attacked American possessions in the Western Pacific and the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Germany and Italy have activated the mutual support clause in the Axis Treaty, and have also declared war on the United States.

So, no Pearl Harbor raid. This will be interesting -- I've always thought that Japan's only real chance was not to attack Pearl Harbor but to invade the DEI only at first, which would certainly provoked a declaration of war from the Allies. This would have strengthened the isolationists and made it impossible to mobilize U.S. industry and manpower at the levels that were historically done. A pity the effects to the U.S. economy can't be simulated except by extensive modding.

And it looks like one of the keys to Japanese victory is not to activate the Soviets. (Which would make it much easier to get that base in Korea.)

This is actually our third bout, and the second with AE. The last game--only getting into the first two months of the war when my opponent discovered his management of industry was flawed--suggests Japan can't focus on the Southern Resource Area, or America will roll up the Japanese bases in the eastern Pacific. Also, China has to be pressured or it starts its counteroffensive by retaking the cities around Hankow.

[herwin]

Blitzk's AAR is here: http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2474774. You JFBs give him a hand, please.

(I haven't looked at it.)

[herwin]

This morning, the Empire of Japan declared war against Thailand, the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the United States of America. Japanese airstrikes, surface naval actions, and landings were reported in the Philippines and Malaya. The Thai Government capitulated to the Japanese later in the day.

Heavy Japanese airstrikes against Manila, Hong Kong, and Malaya.

Loss of DD Peary, PG Isabel, PG Tulsa, AM Finch, SS Porpoise, SS Pike, SS Shark, SS Tarpon, SS Perch, SS Pickerel, SS Salmon, SS Skipjack, SS Snapper , SS Sturgeon, SS Saury, SS Spearfish, SS Sculpin, SS Swordfish, SS Seadragon, SS Sealion, SS Searaven, SS S-37, SS S-38, SS S-40, SS S-41, PT-31, PT-32, PT-33, PT-34, PT-35, and PT Q-113 on Dec 07, 1941 is admitted.

Landings at Atimonan, Kota Bharu, Lucena, and Makin. Makin captured.

Japanese attack Pengpu in China.

[mike scholl 1]

ORIGINAL: herwin

This morning, the Empire of Japan declared war against Thailand, the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the United States of America. Japanese airstrikes, surface naval actions, and landings were reported in the Philippines and Malaya.

Looks from the results as though the "sneak attack" still occurred (Surprise ON), so at least there is some justification for the American Production you will be receiving. Not a great deal of difference in killing 2500 Americans
without declaring war in the Philippines from doing it in Hawaii. Sounds like
the two of you have mapped out an interesting experience for yourselves.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: mike scholl 1

ORIGINAL: herwin

This morning, the Empire of Japan declared war against Thailand, the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the United States of America. Japanese airstrikes, surface naval actions, and landings were reported in the Philippines and Malaya.

Looks from the results as though the "sneak attack" still occurred (Surprise ON), so at least there is some justification for the American Production you will be receiving. Not a great deal of difference in killing 2500 Americans
without declaring war in the Philippines from doing it in Hawaii. Sounds like
the two of you have mapped out an interesting experience for yourselves.

The Japanese declared war first, but it still surprised MacArthur's forces.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: herwin

The Japanese declared war first, but it still surprised MacArthur's forces.

Although I might be off in the detail, IIRC the intent of the Japanese plan was to declare war - in Washington, D.C. - one hour before the attack at Pearl Harbor commenced. Given the realities involved, one hour is practically nothing, and even less half a world away. In effect, they planned for a technical/legal declaration while still achieving surprise on those forces they attacked first. Trying to have their cake and eat it too. IMO it would have made no difference to the American public if the declaration had been delivered an hour before, when planes were already in the air!

So I think you are playing out a real possible alternative to the PH strike.

[herwin]

The Japanese capture Kota Bharu and continue with airstrikes against Manila.

Loss of AS Holland, AVP Heron, SS Permit, SS Sargo, SS Seawolf, PT-41, xAKL Bisayas, xAKL Palawan, xAK Si Kiang and, xAK Wulin on Dec 08, 1941 is admitted.

[herwin]

The Japanese invade at Aparri, Lucena, Tarawa, and Vigan, capturing Tarawa.

Naval air strikes against the US Asiatic Fleet off Borneo.

KB sinks a couple of xAKLs in the Sibuyan Sea.

Manila continues to burn.

[witpqs]

Harry,

Could you throw in a game-date of update, or maybe even a game-period an update covers?

Thanks!

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Harry,

Could you throw in a game-date of update, or maybe even a game-period an update covers?

Thanks!

The date listed is Washington/Tokyo.

[herwin]

Mostly air-naval actions. A search aircraft reported getting a hit on the Maya. About a half dozen small ships and MTBs were sunk in action. KB spotted south of Mindanao. Amphibious landings at Miri and Kavieng. Aparri and Vigan are captured by the Japanese. Allied attacks at Lucena and Ichang. Night-time surface action against ships fleeing Hong Kong and MTB attack against Vigan. Dutch claim a sinking of a Japanese SS.

My opponent suggests Yichang (Ichang) cannot be held. What happened historically?

[witpqs]

You know, Harry, I had just missed that you were putting the date in the title as I habitually look at the top of the post.

[herwin]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

You know, Harry, I had just missed that you were putting the date in the title as I habitually look at the top of the post.

OK, I'll go back to dating in the post.

[witpqs]

No, no! I was confessing my blundering!

[herwin]

December 11/12 1941

Japanese submarine reported sunk near Pearl Harbor. KB hits shipping at Tarakan. Invasions at Aitape, Guam, Hollandia, Manus and Wewak. Ground combat at Yichang, Japanese holding out. Kavieng and Miri captured by Japanese. Japanese repulse Allied attack at Lucena.

[herwin]

December 12/13 1941

Chinese forces capture Yichang!

KB airstrikes against Tarakan. KB begins an approach to the Java Sea.

Landings at Guam, Lingayen, Naga, and Shortlands.

Aitape, Guam, Hollandia, Manus. Tuguegaro, and Wewak surrender to the Japanese.

Ryoyo Maru sunk by a Dutch submarine.