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

[Nemo121]

Never said it didn't take skill.

[FatR]

ORIGINAL: Mynok

Moving around reserves in the face of Allied airpower is suspect at best in the later stages of the war.

Then you need to move quickly, before Allies can entrench.

I don't believe it is possible to take even outer Hawaii with 2000 AV at this stage, unless the Allied player discounted a possibility of such attack entirely AND wasn't warned by SigInt. That's because Japanese troops lack firepower to take on good American units. During my own Hawaian foray, unmodified AV superiority of almost 5:1 was necessary to bring down the first Allied stronghold, despite having divisions with 89 and 94 experience as a core of my force. And if the Allied players defends vigorously, not all of these 2000 AV will even reach the coast, even assuming that Japanese somehow manage to neutralize the threat of Allied carrier and LBA double-teaming them.

[Cribtop]

PzB,

Congratulations for two very significant advances in JFB strategy. First, your use of multi-base co-ordinated CAP and LRCAP, combined with some strat bombing of enemy airfields, have shown us how to de-fang the 4E threat. Second, your Burma counteroffensive and doctrine of defending in jungle hexes outside of bases provides an excellent method to address the other major headache of AE, namely the early Allied ground offensive in the CBI theater. These are outstanding successes and give us JFBs a path forward.

It should also be pointed out that in Burma you have beaten Andy in his strong suit, namely ground combat. That should be demoralizing to his player morale.

[PzB74]

Yes I agree, the options for Japanese expansion in 43 are rather limited.
- As I understand Nemo Hawaiian perimeter islands would be Midway and Johnston islands?
If we brought the entire KB and Combined Fleet we could force Andy to react to an invasion of these islands.

I have already started fortifying the Kuriles; Paramushio is close to 6 forts and the island to the south has also received engineers and a garrison.
The islands further south will also receive engineers and garrisons as soon as these become available. Lots of such units arrives in the next weeks and months.
- It's challenging to rotate the available engineers from the outer towards the inner perimeter bases in order to have the forts and fields ready in time.
I'm already building the new small bases surrounding the Home Islands, first construction units then a Base Force units for search and asw planes. Later in the war it
will be simple to "dump" decent garrisons here. One of my main priorities is to top as many bases with supplies; Christmas Island can for example hold 190k supplies and
serve as a hub for the entire area. Same roles as Kwajalein and Rabaul have.

Agree; Marianas is a good place for reserves Nemo! [:)] As is North Oz is holding reserve divisions for Java to Northern Guinea area.
Rabaul is holding reserves for Southern New Guinea and the Solomons.

Currently we have 8 full sized divisions in Burma; I will have to send 2 or 3 to the rear as reserves.
The numerous regiments are good island garrisons.

In China I'm slowly combining units of 4-5 large divisions; planning to release at least one of these together with one of the Home Island garrison divisions.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 08, 43

Sub-ASW Attacks

We fail to hit the heavily escorted convoy!

ASW attack near Lahaina at 184,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-160, hits 5

Allied Ships
DMS Dorsey
DMS Hopkins
AG Regulus
AG Vega
AO Kaskaskia
AO Ramapo
AO Neches
AK Almaack
TK Hadnot
TK Pat Doheny
xAP Maui
xAP Matsonia
xAP President Tyler
xAP St. Mihel
xAK Exchange
xAK Sea Fox
xAK West Nilus
xAK West Cape
xAK Admiral Senn
xAK San Vincente
xAK Jefferson Myers
xAK Wilhelmina
xAK Manulani
xAK Mana
xAK Makawao
xAK Walter Luckenbach
xAK Horace Luckenbach
xAK Dorothy Luckenbach
xAK Chickasaw City
xAK Sagadahoc
xAK Challenger
xAK Minnesotan
xAK Canadian
xAK Californian
xAKL Kailua
DD Frazier

SS I-160 launches 8 torpedoes at DMS Dorsey
DD Frazier attacking submerged sub ....
DMS Dorsey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Frazier fails to find sub and abandons search
DMS Dorsey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS Dorsey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS Dorsey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DMS Dorsey fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Lahaina at 183,107

Japanese Ships
SS I-159

Allied Ships
DD Laffey
DD Aaron Ward

SS I-159 is located by DD Laffey
I-159 diving deep ....
DD Laffey fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Aaron Ward fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

No seriour air activity on any of the fronts!
Todays sweep bagged 2 P-39's but also cost us 2 Oscars.

Morning Air attack on Imphal , at 60,40
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 34,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-39D Airacobra: 1 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-43-Ic Oscar sweeping at 30000 feet

CAP engaged:
23rd FG/74th FS with P-39D Airacobra (1 airborne, 3 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 29000 , scrambling fighters to 29000.
Raid is overhead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground Combat

This is the second jungle hex that now makes up a firm frontline north of Shwebo!

Ground combat at 59,43
Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2475 troops, 27 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 248
Defending force 13246 troops, 248 guns, 188 vehicles, Assault Value = 428

Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Recon Battalion
22nd Recon Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
2nd Mobile Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
20th Indian Division
RAF 222 Group Base Force
14th Indian Light AA Regiment
------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Pacific

[PzB74]

Thx Cribtop! [:)]
- I think the multi-base CAP approach holds potential but it also has weaknesses. I have still not figured out how Andy can send dozens of sweeps over non-base hexes [&:]
Any base complex in the Pacific that can be built up like the Basin in Burma can theoretically be defended by using similar tactics. The advantage of such an approach is that enemy bombers are not safe and that attrition among defending CAP fighters is distributed among numerous units which makes it possible to keep them operational in the field for a longer period of time before rotating them.

The jungle defense is a logical solution in Burma, I should have seen it much earlier but was surprised by the massive offensive Andy launched already in the Autumn of 42.
So by claiming the Akyab - Myit line in the initial Jap offensive in early 42 should make it possible to block the early Allied steam roller offensive.

The inherited weaknesses of any Allied Burma offensive; lack of supplies beyond Imphal together with a strong Japanese Army should in most cases be sufficient in 42-43!

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: PzB

... I have still not figured out how Andy can send dozens of sweeps over non-base hexes [&:]
....

[X(] Anxiously watching for a response to this as well. I have a similar issue.... [&:]

[Cribtop]

Maybe ordering sweeps with "commander's choice" selected? I doubt it but can't think of anything else.

[Rob Brennan UK]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: PzB

... I have still not figured out how Andy can send dozens of sweeps over non-base hexes [&:]
....

[X(] Anxiously watching for a response to this as well. I have a similar issue.... [&:]

Could it be andy in sending in fighters on ground attack missions at really high altitude ? I'm facing a similar thing in china vs Seydelitz/offenceman and my CAP always seems to get bounced by the japanese fighters on these mission types. Or at least im thinking they are on ground attack as they do occasionally strike the ground units (possibly at high alt they dont detect the land units too well).

the attacking fighters just seem to drop ordinance (rarely seen message) and swoops down or even up, catching my LRCAP with its trousers down regularly.

Just my 2c and no any ideas as how to counter it tbh.

[PzB74]

We can certainly test that hypothesis; I will send some Oscars on ground attack against some Chink unit outside a base hex!
If nothing works I will query Andy [;)]

Not much in today's turn; quiet in Burma and all other theatres.

[PzB74]

Forgot to test the fighter ground - sweep attacks...next time!

This turn was a sub action turn and a good one for us.
At Hiva Oa I sent in an ASW - minelaying - sweeping force and it sank a sub and damaged another.

Of the West Coast we sank 2 freighters; one large and one small - both loaded with fuel and burning like torches.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 11, 43

Sub - ASW Attacks

ASW attack near Hiva Oa at 192,169

Japanese Ships
DMS W-9
CM Aotaka
E Hayabusa

Allied Ships
SS Sawfish

SS Sawfish launches 4 torpedoes at DMS W-9
Sawfish bottoming out ....
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack near Hiva Oa at 192,169

Japanese Ships
E Hayabusa

Allied Ships
SS Scorpion, hits 7

SS Scorpion is sighted by escort
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa attacking submerged sub ....
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Hiva Oa at 192,169

Japanese Ships
CM Aotaka
E Hayabusa

Allied Ships
SS Pompon, hits 16, heavy damage

SS Pompon launches 4 torpedoes at CM Aotaka
Pompon bottoming out ....
E Hayabusa attacking submerged sub ....
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa fails to find sub, continues to search...
E Hayabusa attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco at 211,75

Japanese Ships
SS I-2

Allied Ships
xAK Peter V. Daniel, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
LST-448
xAKL Koonda
xAKL Hetton Bank
SC-642

SS I-2 launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Peter V. Daniel
I-2 diving deep ....
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco at 211,75
Japanese Ships
SS I-2, hits 2

Allied Ships
xAKL Dona Nati, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
LST-448
xAKL Hetton Bank
SC-642

SS I-2 launches 4 torpedoes at xAKL Dona Nati
I-2 diving deep ....
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
SC-642 attacking submerged sub ....
SC-642 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUB ATTACKS!

[Cribtop]

AKs loaded with fuel says good things about Andy's tanker losses and fuel shortages, IMHO.

[Mynok]

ORIGINAL: FatR

ORIGINAL: Mynok

Moving around reserves in the face of Allied airpower is suspect at best in the later stages of the war.

Then you need to move quickly, before Allies can entrench.

Which was my point. You need to get your troops to the places you want to defend BEFORE the Allies start their rampage. 'Reserves', by which I mean troops ready to reinforce a threatened place, are useless once Allied airpower takes control.

[PzB74]

Let's hope so [:)]

As long as KB has superiority and as long as we move within our own LBA range we can move troops safely.
- This is a condition that will prevail throughout most of 43.

Christmas Island has completed 6(6) forts, got 500 AV and I'm loading it with 120+k supplies.
That's one bastion completed!

Nothing to report this turn.
Ordered 3 fighter units on ground attack against Chink units.

In a couple of turns we will have 5000 AV ready to attack 7 Allied units east of Kathia.
If that doesn't work we're going onto the defensive knowing that the Allies can't get anywhere either.

I've merged many divisions in China and will try to release another division and start building the strat reserve.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 12, 43

[d0mbo]

Don't you get spoilage by that many supplies at small bases? or are supplies immune to spoilage?
 
Interesting tactic, will be following closely
 
 

[Rob Brennan UK]

Christmas island (pacific one) is a big island with iirc unlimited troop numbers so supply is only limited by base size. should be one huge thorn in andys side if he bypasses it too, and given his convoys tend to be mis-routed or compasses are in short suppy for the merchant marine, a netty units based there could hurt him badly.

[PzB74]

Yep, Xmas Island can hold 170k supplies!
- If Andy invades it will cost him big time; if not we get to keep a perfect forward sub and bomber base [8D]

Using auto-convoy is risky, they usually find their own ways.

Found the solution on the hex sweep question; You simply order the fighters to sweep the non base hex and voila [8|]
Didn't think this was possible....

Nothing to report in the last 2 turn, all quiet.

[aprezto]

Hmmm, interesting. I know you can't sweep your own bases - that you'd be able to sweep a non-occupied hex seems inane to me.

[janh]

ORIGINAL: PzB
Nothing to report in the last 2 turn, all quiet.

Doesn't that make you a little nervous...?

I think you are in need of some serious recon information on various allied staging areas. Anything come to your mind that you could pull off to recon place like Colombo, Pearl and the major bases in Australia? Just to figure out where Andy staged what dimension of LCU, LBA, and where his naval assets are? This could give you crucial hints as to where his next main push will come, and could disrupt, slow or accelerate his plan. If you are really lucky, it would induce him to do some bad mistakes and rush.

Ideally, if you could already gather information on Perth and Pearl, and the major bases on the OZ Eastcoast an Caledonia, you might know already whether you need to be on your toes in the India AO, on your Southern and SWPac perimeter, or whether all hell will come through CentPac or Kuriles, and how soon it will come. Given your extended perimeter with bases in Centpac that are far far from the HI but close to his lines of communication, and a severe threat to the latter, I would bet he will pull his still limited forces together and start nibbling away at Line Islands and Marquesas -- where he can escape rather quickly if things turn out messy. So surely at least his CV must be found in Pearl. If not, they might be on the West Coast, and nothing big will start in the near future in CentPac. Or they are elsewhere, and you have some developing already...

If you could gather info without Andy noticing, this could give you an unmeasurable advantage...

[PzB74]

Actually I think it's a bit insane that you can't sweep the airspace over your own bases....the rest seems rather normal [;)]

Nah, not nervous yet; Andy is still fully committed in Burma and all his carriers are still in the Pacific and PH.
Even a major change of focus will take a lot of time and we are reconing Perth, Ceylon and PH on a regular basis.

If Andy comes out to play before he has sea superiority it will be in hit and run style; we saw what happened when his invasion of the Line Islands bogged down.
We still got some good months ahead and for some time to come I need to reorganize and upgrade troops and equipment and complete existing plans.

[PzB74]

Looks like Andy has transferred his 4Es from India to Oz; a major strike hit PM!
- We had a fair amount of Zero's and Tojo's in the air and caused considerable losses to the enemy that came in many waves.

Allied sweepers came in after the bombers; they claimed some kills but did little to make things easier for the heavies.

I have long time ago concluded with that PM can not be defended from the air; we will continue to oppose the enemy bombers in order to claim as many
losses as possible but it's almost a given thing that PM will be closed in a day or two.

PM itself has been stocked with supplies and air support will be provided by the surrounding bases; I will step up the distribution of garrisons and base units to these bases.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 15, 43

Sub Attacks

We launched a midget against PH...it foundered and sank.
The mothership nailed an AM on the way though!

Sub attack near Pearl Harbor at 180,108

Japanese Ships
SS I-22, hits 2

Allied Ships
AM Guysborough, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
AM Chignecto

SS I-22 launches 6 torpedoes at AM Guysborough
I-22 diving deep ....
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
AM Chignecto attacking submerged sub ....
AM Chignecto fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Chignecto fails to find sub, continues to search...
AM Chignecto fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Air Combat

Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 17

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIc x 16
Hudson III (LR) x 9
Mitchell II x 6
Hudson III (LR) x 12
B-17E Fortress x 30
B-17F Fortress x 18
B-24D Liberator x 39
B-25C Mitchell x 5
B-26 Marauder x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 8 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed on ground
L3Y2 Tina: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
Beaufighter VIc: 5 destroyed
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 2 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

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

Airbase hits 15
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 43

Training flight from 24th Sentai has been caught up in attack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 27

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 9
B-26 Marauder x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 9 damaged
B-26 Marauder: 1 damaged

Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
3 x B-26 Marauder bombing from 12000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 3 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 22

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 6
B-17F Fortress x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 damaged
L3Y2 Tina: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged
B-17F Fortress: 3 damaged

Runway hits 4

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 47 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 16

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 4 damaged

Runway hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 10 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 2 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 4
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8

Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-57-I Topsy: 1 destroyed on ground
L3Y2 Tina: 1 destroyed on ground
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged

Runway hits 11

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Training flight from 251 Ku S-1 has been caught up in attack
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 10
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 5

Allied aircraft
B-17F Fortress x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17F Fortress: 1 destroyed, 5 damaged

Airbase hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17F Fortress bombing from 12000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Port Moresby , at 98,130
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 31,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Beaufighter Ic x 10
P-38F Lightning x 16
P-38G Lightning x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed

Aircraft Attacking:
16 x P-38F Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet
14 x P-38G Lightning sweeping at 30000 feet
7 x Beaufighter Ic sweeping at 12000 feet

CAP engaged:
251 Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 110 minutes
24th Sentai with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 12000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Port Moresby