Quartermaster in the Pacific - Japanese only AAR War Plan Orange

[Bliztk]

Today a multiple shot, because with one screenshot I cannot explain everything [:'(]

1) The unit SW resulted to be the BFF brigade. It was routed losing 54 combat squads destroyed and 33 disabled. 33rd division continue to march towards Toungoo. I will shift a Tank RGT to the road east of this hex, to go towards taking Taung Gyi

2) The light tank RGT (only light tanks) moved thru jungle in two days ! I have ordered it SW so I can seal the pocket better. The 18th Division moving westwards from the hex SE of Prome has advanced a 10 miles, so I need to clear the pocket soon !

3) The most dangerous issue of the turn was the location of this units marching SW !

I have ordered all the tank regiments east of prome to stop and entrench. I will bomb it with the bombers at Rangoon to check what unit is. If it`s a big unit, then I will move the 5th division from Prome and cancel the march westwards of the 18th div.

[Bliztk]

While Rabaul invasion force was approaching, it search planes triggered two attacks from Betties at Truk !

Allied Ships
AP President Hayes, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Canberra, Torpedo hits 1
DD La Triomphant, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CL St. Louis
AP William Ward Burrows, Torpedo hits 1
AK Arcturus, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage

At least three CAs/CLs and 2-3 DDs are present, coupled with several APs and AKs.

1) A reinforcement convoy has been spotted and caught unloading at Rabaul. That has altered the whole plan in the sector

2) The invasion force and the covering force of 4 BBs is going to move eastward to protect himself from an Allied surface raid. Invasion force was attacked by several weak attacks by B-26 from PM

3) KB will sprint for the kill SW of Rabaul. If the Allies retreat KB will be near, if they continue unloading the kill will be better. The reason of uncovering the KB at this moment are two folds:

It`s better to have a bird at hand than 100 flying, plus there is no sight of any USN carrier forces in Mandates. So I will proceed to PM in the next week

[Bliztk]

In a surprising turn of events, Harry has left the Americal totally stranded at Kwjal !

1) I attacked an allied DD at this position, I guess he is retreating towards PH

2) The two day Maloeap searching force of 27 G4M1 has found NOTHING !

3) Another Allied assault resulted in :


Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 4556 troops, 211 guns, 114 vehicles, Assault Value = 83

Defending force 1838 troops, 51 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 12

Allied adjusted assault: 2

Japanese adjusted defense: 7

Allied assault odds: 1 to 3 (fort level 2)

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-), disruption(-), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 6 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1


Allied ground losses:
416 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 33 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 13 (2 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Assaulting units:
Americal Infantry Division

So basically he cannot take the atoll righ now. Stalemate here.

4) I have sent a resupply convoy towards Roi-Namur. Need a lot of supplies here to maintain a G4M2 force to start attritioning the relief force with land based units. War Plan Orange vs the "Main event" doctrine of Japan !

5) I have a division in Porth Arthur waiting to load destination Kwajalein. 10-12 days until arrival. Meanwhile KB will support the 19th Division attack on Port Moresby and Lunga

[Bliztk]

RABAUL

KB didn´t launch any sortie [:@][:@]

KB has a encounter with some fleeing ships that are sunk by the trailing escort.

Situation. I have ordered a naval bombardment of Rabaul and sent invasion ahead. (I have 200 AV here)
KB is going south to try to cover fleeing units towards PM/Australia and Noumea.

MANDATES

Started loading 5 Naval Gsn towards Kwajalein. Did a test and there should not be Shock attack triggered when I unload them. Kill the Americal Div, BANZAI !

BURMA

Prome is assaulted by the first Burma div.

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Ground combat at Prome (55,50)

Allied Shock attack

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 0)

Allied ground losses:
1587 casualties reported
Squads: 45 destroyed, 58 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 127 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Vehicles lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Ordered a deliberate attack to repulse the units back. This should check if I`m correct and the British units should retire westwards (towards the jungle) or eastwards.

I`m betting west, but with WITP you only know when you actually see the results [:'(]

[Bliztk]

Sorry for the delay, but things got interesting those last three turns !

HI

Submarine warfare seems increasing. Today I lost a merchie, but had three attacks. I got 5-6 ASW attacks but I didn´t get hits on the subs. [:(] I`m moving more air forces to ASW work, plus I plan to change all the captains of the vessels, to see if I can get improved performance

Mandates

I have disembarked today 5 Naval Garrison (AV 60) in Kwaj. Another supply convoy has unloaded into Roi-Namur to bring up the supplies and a 30x A6M2 Zero unit has been stationed here to provide air cover. No sign of the USN or more attacks on Kwajal by the Americal. Will deliberate attack today, to check the odds.

Rabaul - PNG

I captured Rabaul without problems, the convoy is heading back to Truk to pick up the PM Invasion force (I`m short here of good 3000 AKs to unload invasion forces in 1 day). KB is heading Mandates to cover the unloading of the convoys after bombing PM for 1 day with light Allied losses.

Java

I finally changed my mind and only disembarked on Semarang and Kalijdati. I have finished moving units to Bandoeng and Djararkta to divide the island in three halves, so the Allies cannot reinforce and I can use the Clausewitzian theory of reinforcing in the interior lines [;)]

China

Finally I starting moving from Nanyang towards Lanchow. A relief force for Sinyang and reinforcing the centre (Hankow and Wuchang) is being assembled at Loyang. Two divisions and three Mixed Bdes had been dispatched south towards Wenchow, to finish the stalemate here.

!!! BURMA !!!!

Another post required for burma

[Bliztk]

1) British Eastern fleet appears here. Lot of BBs and several British Carrier bomb my tank regiments at 6
2) I had units prepared for this contingency [:)]. 70 Netties with an Air HQ are assembled at Moulmein, I have only 18 Zeroes as escorts, so I have to reduce the range to 12 to use Ki-43 Oscars as escorts. As I have read in the forum I put the Netties to 15,000 feet and the escorts at 13,000 to ensure maximum coordination.
3) I put one level bombing here at max Naval Search to ensure a good contact. All naval bombers here are put on Naval attack. They don´t have much Naval Attack experience, but if I can degrade the CAP everything will be fine.
4) Allied units at Prome are encircled (combat text says so [:D]) I have the two Divs attacking the allied units here. A lot of kills but my divisions are a bit disorganiced (no losses)
5) 55th Div is advancing NE to go for the kill !
6) My tank forces had been bombed by Banshee forces from Mandalay. Light losses due my inability of give a good CAP, but I continu to advance towards Magwe. Will try to seal the Units at 7 via Magwe
7) Those are the Toungoo defenders. The BFF bde was joined by a Chinese Corps, but both units got a reality check by the more experienced IJA 33rd Div
8) I tried a maximum effort against Mandalay two days ago, but the strikes got uncoordinated and Allied CAP got a good share against my unescorted bombers. Currently I`m very short on fighters. I have Kanoya Ku-1 at Bangkog but I`m waiting until the reinforcement pilots arrive, and also the planes are repaired. That until will have to turn the tide
9) The Parachutes are at Rahaeng. The Air Base unit is two days away. I have reconned Swhebo and the dot base northeast here. They look empty[;)][8D] Once I arrive near Mandalay will have decide if I unleash my Airborne corps

[Bliztk]

BURMA

The RN slow battlefleet bombard my Tank Rgt W of Prome. Moderate damage here (expected)

Day arrives and everything goes fine [:D]

First IJA attack from Rangoon:

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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ramree Island at 50,48
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 11

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 9
Martlet II x 19

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Sea Hurricane Ib: 1 destroyed
Martlet II: 3 destroyed

Morning Air attack on TF, near Ramree Island at 50,48

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 11
Ki-30 Ann x 14
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 25
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 6

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 6
Martlet II x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 2 destroyed

CAP is degraded, turn for the IJN from Moulmein


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Ramree Island at 50,48

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G4M1 Betty x 29

Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 2
Martlet II x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 19 damaged

Allied Ships
CV Formidable
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Hermes

Killer strike !!!

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Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ramree Island at 50,48

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 120 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 47 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
G3M2 Nell x 18



Allied aircraft
Sea Hurricane Ib x 3
Martlet II x 4


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 12 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
Martlet II: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CV Formidable, Torpedo hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
BB Prince of Wales, Torpedo hits 1
CVL Hermes, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage

!!!! BANZAI !!!!

Formidable sunk, and Hermes quite possible. POW will survive to see another day.
I put the Mavis squad to 100% search, and put a Ki-46-Dinah sq at 100% search from Prome. All Betties and Nells are put to MAX range.

MANDATES

First deliberate attack wipes out the Americal Division !

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Ground combat at Kwajalein Island (132,115)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 5890 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 251

Defending force 4067 troops, 208 guns, 105 vehicles, Assault Value = 44

Japanese adjusted assault: 101

Allied adjusted defense: 2

Japanese assault odds: 50 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
155 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
2172 casualties reported
Squads: 418 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 407 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 295 (295 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 114 (114 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1


!!!! BANZAI !!!!

I have spotted 1 USN carrier TF moving West. I had two TFs with 18kts AKs unloading at Roi and at Kwajalein. I have left two AKs at Roi-Namur and sent 70 Zeroes in 100% CAP 25,000 feet to see if USN attacks again. The two fast AKs are a costly decoy, but attritioning USN before the "main event" is better. The rest of the transports run at max speed towards Truk.

KB is two days away of Kwajalein, halfway between Solomons and Marshalls, closing for the kill after the CAP at Roi-Namur attrition USN

[Bliztk]

Mandates

USN dissapear. I continue unloading supply at Roi,still on guard. KB is one day SW of Kwaj. Will linger one day or two before doing a rendezvous with the PM and Lunga invasion force.

Burma

Prome defenders are being wiped out. Meanwhile 33rd division keeps advancing while mauling the BFF bde and chinese corps. The tank regiments are ready to reach Magwe, then move to Mandalay to try to trap the retreating units.

Java



1) First landing at Kalijdati Objetive Batavia. AAF level of 4, so inmediate air cover. Took one extra day to be taken because Harry reinforced it.

2) Second Landing at Semarang. Objetive Soerabaja. Originally I had planned another landing at Tjepoe, but finally decided to land at Semarang. (Good port helps)

3) Kalijdati divides in two forces, three divisions take Bandoeng, and then advance using the western road towards Batavia.

4) Another division plus two Naval GDE are going to Batavia to pin the defenders.

5) When both bases are under siege, then a secondary landing at Merak will proceed (I have an unit fully prepared)

6) The same tactic is used but here the roads are better. After landing at Semarang I move towards Djakarta to divide the island in three.

7&8) One force moves using the eastern side of the island, and the other using the western road. Goal at soerabaja

9) Like Merak, another amphibious assault is ready to take Banjoenwangi and seal the defenders at Soerabaja.

10) KB is north of Timor, supporting the landings at Dili and Koepang. I have several units readied for an assault on northern Australia, but I have not decided to give it the Green light yet

[Bliztk]

MANDATES

Nothing. I have sent back the resupply convoys. Kwajalein is overstacked, so when the TRs appear I plan to shuttle the units to their final destinations as garrisons.

PNG

Invasion convoys loaded. Targets PM, Lunga and Horn Island. Second wave is for Lae and Milne Bay. KB is one day from Truk. Rabaul is still port 3 and AF 3, but I`m moving one Air HQ to ensure torpedoes for my planes.

JAVA + TIMOR

In java everything goes under way. Lost a damaged AK to Dutch bombs. Find that the Inf RGT is not strong enough to take Tjilapjap, so standoff here. I`m two days of starting the siege of both Batavia and Soerabaja

In Timor the Invasion of Dili went smoothly. The attack on Koepang thrashed my disembarking units (both prep at 100%), so I have sent the Batdiv 2 to bomb Koepang, and I will use the Merak invasion force to reinforece the assault.

BURMA




1) On 13th April I unsucessfully attacked a cruiser force. Then moved two sqn more of Nells to Rangoon. Set them at full range to try to cath the cruisers retiring towards Ceylon.

The result was finding the crippled Formidable and Hermes and finishing them, then several air attacks on the "R" class battleships anchored at Diamond Harbour. Three of them are heavily damaged. I stand down the Betties until I can sweep DH with fighters. 10 Subs are arriving at the bay of bengal to ensure the british BBs are trapped in port.

2) The encircled units at Prome collapse on 14th April.

Finally I bagged 1st Burma Div, 17th Indian Div, 103 RN BF, 44th,45th,46th Indian Brigade, 221 Group RAF (should return), 6th Burma Rifles, Rangoon BAF bn, 1st Gloucestershire Bn. A good pocket. BANZAI !

3) All encircling units try to reach the nearest railhead. Destination Magwe !

4) I took Magwe intact. 300 Oil and 100 refinery added to the empire. ETA of the units arriving from Prome area is 4-6 days. (2 for the transit 2-3 for the conversion back on combat mode)

5) I have the air and engineer component of my Magwe defences ready here in SR mode. So I should have 150 engineers and 200 Air support ready in a couple of days.

6) 33rd Divs keeps routing the chinese corps and BFF Bde. Currently moving NE

7) Of the three TK RGTs at Magwe two move eastwards to try to encircle the units at Meiktila (6), the third moves NE. Then I will try to cross the river NE of Mandalay

8) An RTA unit that has blocked the trail here after the invasion of Thailand by an Allied BN (one month ago). Closes the eastward escape route for the units at 6.

9) I have 4 Parachute units here waiting for targets.

10) The first target is Shwebo and the Dot base NE of it. I recconed it last week and found nothing on both hexes. I have been avoiding the recon, but plan to recon them in 1-2 days. If they are still empty then Parachute and seal all the Allied Burma Army south of Mythikina

[Bliztk]

1) After the capture of Loyang and Tsiatao I have scheluded a 15 day rest period for my units. Finally was something like a month. Plans do not survive the first contact with the enemy.. [>:]

2) I moved to take Nanyang with the Sian assault force. Took it against light resistance. Moved the assaulting units NW. Harry moved several chinese units back into the hex, but I have managed to reinforce it with the second wave of the Sian assault. So a crises averted by one day !

3) The Sian assault units continue to rout the defenders from Nanyang. A deliberate attack that rout the defenders, three days moving 1 hex, another deliberate attack. I plan to repeat the cycle until I reach Sian.

4) Sinyang is still under siege. Harry tried an attack 10 days ago, but my Lv5 fort was too much for him.

5) I`m releving Sinyang from the north. One relief force is moving using the rail line, and the other has used the road from Nanyang. The northern one has been checked, so I will wait until Nanyang is secured to send reinforcements south.

6) Harry is sending units to Hankow. IIRC this is the third time he tries with the same units. With Lv6 forts they should not be any problem to hold.

7) Wuchang also was attacked last month, but I`m heavily fortified here.

8) I have sent two divisions, plus four mixed Bdes towards Wenchow. Currently assembling the assault force. ETA 1 week to try to storm the city. If I`m sucessful some of those units will help to clean the Hanoi-Canton route, to open the Singapore-Port Arthur supply line and easing all my logistic problems

9) Harry should have back the units I destroyed at Loyang. So an attack on central China from Changsa or Ichang should be started soon. Will try to air recon the sector to see if I can discover where are those armies