Days of Infamy--RA Scen 70

[John 3rd]

Submarine Tally Sheet
02-14-42

Ro-Class
Ro-65
AP 12-10-41 NE Aust

Ro-66
DD La Triomphant 02-03-42 Suva

Ro-68
AP Mataroa 02-02-42 Horn Island

Ocean Going-Boats
I-3
AP Ormiston (Partial) 12-09-41 106,169
AP 12-10-41 103,172
CL Boise 12-26-41 Balikpapan

I-4
AK Waipo 01-30-42 West Coast
AK Admiral Lewis 01-30-42 West Coast

I-6
AO Neches 01-10-42 West Coast

I-7
APD Waters 12-09-41 West of San Diego

I-8
AK Meigs 12-17-41 Suva
AP Bloemfontein 12-18-42 Suva
AK Californian 01-17-42 Suva
AK Kansan 01-17-42 Suva
Part. AK 01-17-42 Suva

I-16
AK Maldiva 01-31-42 Mandalore
AP Van Cloon 01-31-42 Mandalore

I-18
AK Bellerophon 02-01-42 India

I-20
CL Enterprise 01-21-42 Ceylon



Minelayers
I-121
AVP Poolster 12-08-41 NE Palembang

I-122
TK Iris 12-08-41 Off Bataan

I-123
AKL 12-09-41

I-124
AKL Bisangas 12-08-41 Off Jolo
AKL Anakin 12-08-41 Off Jolo

Regular SS
I-153
AS Holland 12-10-41 NE Soer
AO Tan 1 12-11-41 SE Balik

I-155
CL Dragon 12-7-41 Muntok

I-156
AP Hong Siang 12-12-41 Ceylon

I-158
AK Damaged 12-12-41 Kendari
AK Clan Alpine 01-02-42 IO

I-162
AP Australia Star 12-16-42 DEI

I-165
TK 12-10-41 East of Palem

I-168
DD Monaghan 01-19-42 Suva

I-169
AK Coastal Farmer 12-16-41 Pago Pago

I-172
SS Argonaut 12-11-41 West of PH


Lost Japanese Boats
None

Totals
CL—Boise, Enterprise, Dragon
DD—2
SS—Argonaut
APD—1
AP—8
AK—11
AKL—3
TK—2
AO—2
AS—1
AVP—1

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
February 12-15, 1942

This period for Japan can be so entertaining yet time-consuming. The last four turns have been filled with planning and execution for major actions/operations in the Aleutians, Port Moresby, Java, and India. Each turn has taken at least an hour to get right and even then things slip through the cracks.

I am still getting used to AE and have a few questions:
1. Do the air units that are supposed to withdraw do so on their own? If not, then is there an easy way to find them and do I simply hit disband?

2. If I wanted to bring back a destroyed Air Unit, how do I do that?

North Pacific
After finding out that Lew WANTS to make this an active theatre. He has a squadron of Marauders, Bolos, and PBY flying from Cold Bay. To counter I bring in some Jakes, Mavis, and Petes.

Knowing that the troops on Cold Bay are doomed, I order my 7 operational DDs to Cold Bay to lift out portions of the two SNLF units I had committed there. As feared, it turns out to be a bloody operation:

12th Americans attack Cold Bay and get a 10-1. DDs move into Dutch Harbor.

13th Attempt to lift troops off but run into a large convoy of APs, AKs, CA Northampton, and 6 DD. Both sides withdraw with no result. The DDs come in again that day and take 182 CD shots (seeing 1 DD heavily damaged), however, they do pick-up nearly 1,000 troops from both units. Allied attacks nets a 138-1 and resistance ends.

14th CA Northampton and friends hit 4 DD on the way back to Dutch Harbor and two are sunk. Three American DD take hits. A Mavis hits AP Etolin with a bomb at Cold Bay.

15th The American TF presses its luck and sweeps into Dutch Harbor sinking two more DDs, however, 2 more US DDs are hit and Northampton takes a Long Lance. I-15 finishes the day by SINKING CA Northampton with two Torpedos as it reaches Cold Bay! Well done to that crew.

SUMMARY: The Japanese save two SNLF fragments, sink another American CA (joining Salt Lake City), and damage 5 DDs in exchange for 4 Older DDs. Don't think this is a good result and am not happy.

Since I cannot resist the American Fleet at this moment with surface forces, I have now moved in 7 I-Boats. These boys are prowling the waters around Cold Bay and I have high hopes to see more sinkings.

STATUS: Unmak is about to be taken so I can develop the AF. Will look at moving the fight closer to Cold Bay--taking pressure off of Dutch Harbor--by grabbing Dora Island.

There are a BUNCH of Base Force moving into the Theatre. A total of 7 BF are deploying at Adak, Unmak, and Dutch Harbor. An Air Flotilla and Air Division have been pulled from the DEI and Philippines to bring Torps and more support to the arena.

A Sentai of Nates in China move to Shanghai and upgrade to Oscar 1c, swith to 5th Fleet HQ, and load aboard an 18 Knot AK for Adak. Two small Val and Kate Chutai (12 Val and 18 Kate) will join this Fighter unit to form the initial aerial contingent up there. In two weeks they will be joined by a Chutai of Mavis, Daitai of Zero, and Daitai of Betty.

My two Chinese Inf Brigades are now moving towards the theatre.

Two groups of CMs, loaded with mines, are moving to Adak where they will sow Minefields at Dutch Harbor and the hex that the American ships are traveling through to hit Dutch Harbor. As Michael suggested 2 ML SS are now moving north to sow 96 mines at Cold Bay.

CV Akagi and CVL Zuiho are at Saipan and headed for Yokosuka for R&R and to await the new forces about to be brought into service. A STF of 3 CA, 3 CL, and 8 DD are also headed there. These warships, coupled to BB Yamato, CV Junyo, CVL Nisshin, CL Yahagi, and 5 new DD will form the Northern Fleet that will kick some US BUTT!

Central Pacific
Jaluit--The Americans are running convoys into Suva and Pago Pago. On the 16th I'll have a force of 2 CL and 9 DD present and they will swing down and see if they can catch one of these TF.

South Pacific
Port Moresby--The PM Invasion Force arrives and lands on the 14th. CD is strong but not bad. I lose one AKL while my 3 Inf Reg land without too much disruption. After the day I pull back the BBs and IF to Milne Bay to await developments. My first attack is slated for the 16th and I expect good things.

Since most of the KB is getting R&R in Rabaul I pull two Daitai of Zero and Kates off them and deploy them to Milne Bay and Lae to bolster the strong force that is already present.

Noumea--a TF is spotted and attacked by one of my Ro-SS to no effect and appear to be headed for Noumea. I form-up some of the KB's surface units (a BC, 1 CL, and 5 DD) to hit this area.

Eastern DEI
Watampone falls on the 12th

Kolaka falls on the 14th

Land at Koepang on the 15th. Plan to attack there and at the eastern tip of Timor tomorrow (16th)

Java
Merak--The 38th ID moves out and begins to encircle Batavia. There will be no retreat here. A surrender shall occur. The 38th will be reinforced by the 56th ID from Singapore within a week.

Burma
My troops are headed for the town just east of Rangoon. A convoy carrying 5 small units should be spotted by Allied Air Search tomorrow as it heads for Moulmein to APPEAR that I am seriously moving on Burma.

India
With a DEEP BREATH the Left Hook begins with the Chittagong and Diamond Harbor Invasion Forces sailing from Phuket on the 15th. I route them to move just west of Port Blair, head into the central Bay of Bengal, and then split for their respective targets. A STF of 2 BB and 6 DD accompany each Invasion Force.

Chittagong Invasion Force--Imperial Guards, 2nd Air Division, 7 TK Regiments

Diamond Harbor IF--33rd, 4th, 5th ID, 25th Army HQ, 3 TK Reg, 2 Base Force

Floating Reserve--18th ID and 6-7 smaller units

CarDiv2, fully re-stocked with aircraft, moves out to protect them.

Singapore--I finally get the supply situation fixed and upgrade 72 Nate to Oscar 1c as well as two Ida/Mary Chutai to Sally. They will head for Chittagong and Diamond Harbor as soon as they can.

China
Hexes taken: 86,47, 90,56, and 85,43

The Sian Attack Force is now two hexes west of Loyang and advancing on its objective.

Engineering:
Attu AF-1
Malacca AF-2
Milne Bay AF & Port-3
Port Blair AF-2
Dili AF-2
Merak AF-2

Kaigun Additions:
DD Akizuki at Kobe (12th)--I LOVE those Moon-Class AA DD! There are six more added to the Mod and I want ALL of them NOW!

DD Kazegumo at Port Arthur (13th)

[John 3rd]

Since I was updating my Sub Sheet with sinkings and attacks, I got to thinking what had the Allies lost to this point in the war? Pulled up the Campaign and was fairly astonished with the information. To February 15th the Allies have lost the following Submarines: 14 US Fleet Boats, 3 US S-Boats, 2 Dutch K-Class, and 4 O-Class--TOTAL 23. My Manila Port Attack accounted for only 9 of those.

[ny59giants]

I am still getting used to AE and have a question:
1. Do the air units that are supposed to withdraw do so on their own? If not, then is there an easy way to find them and do I simply hit disband?

Hit the "I" key and the third choice on the list on the right is the list of Withdraws. If you hit the "A" key, it will list your air units and those in "red" are due for withdraw within a few days.

If you see the screenshot below, it has an * after the date. These units are "Disband Group" after I take out the pilots and put in replacements. If it has a "P" after the date, then hit the "Withdraw Group" button. When this happens, you may get some PPs as a result. I just found out if the air group to be withdrawn is showing up in "red" then you CANNOT downgrade the plane types. I tried to fill up a Zero unit with Claudes and couldn't do so. [:(]

[John 3rd]

Thanks Michael. That makes sense and is fairly easy to do. When I get my next turn it shall be done.

[ckammp]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

I am still getting used to AE and have a question:
1. Do the air units that are supposed to withdraw do so on their own? If not, then is there an easy way to find them and do I simply hit disband?

Hit the "I" key and the third choice on the list on the right is the list of Withdraws. If you hit the "A" key, it will list your air units and those in "red" are due for withdraw within a few days.

If you see the screenshot below, it has an * after the date. These units are "Disband Group" after I take out the pilots and put in replacements. If it has a "P" after the date, then hit the "Withdraw Group" button. When this happens, you may get some PPs as a result. I just found out if the air group to be withdrawn is showing up in "red" then you CANNOT downgrade the plane types. I tried to fill up a Zero unit with Claudes and couldn't do so. [:(]

The * after the withdraw date indicates the unit will return; a P indicates the unit is permanently withdrawn/disbanded.

[John 3rd]

The Japanese hit Port Moresby on February 15, 1942 with a concerted assault all long the Aussie line. The line collapses and the troops are forced out of their dug-in positions. The next attack will certainly bring about a surrender...

Look at the units present for the Allies:

[Q-Ball]

RE: Evacuation of fragments from Cold Harbor

Instead of using Fast Transports, use Flying Boats. You can use a Mavis Patrol unit, or even better, Mavis Transports. You have a Chutai of Mavis Transports that starts in the Marshalls. I would increase production of the Mavis transport that is available 4/42 (set to DO NOT Upgrade), and eventually replace all your TINAS with the Mavis Transport. It is ideal for evacuating fragments; set to "Pick Up Unit".


RE: PORT MORESBY: That is a good POW haul. Yet another example that Allied players should never reinforce PM unless the Japanese ignore it. He used PPs to bring in the 30th Bde, a Base Force, and the CD unit, and the net result is that they will all just add to the POW count.

[John 3rd]

He didn't spend too many PPs here. RA starts with the Inf Bn that finish off the 30th Brigade and Base Forces at sea heading FOR PM. The choice is the Allied player's as to whether or not to land them at PM.

It might have been a good move given some time. He never got to raise the Forts as I was bombing the AF within a month of the war starting. If those Forts had been 4 or 5 I could never even think to take the Base without at least another Inf Div present.

The base resisted my second attack on the 17th. I'll rest for two days and then take it.

PORTS
It is interesting that Lew keeps shipping in Port close to the Front Lines. I am reconning Darwin and Townsville. They each have at least 15-25 ships in them.

Let me get KB reaired and then I'll have some fun. I'll let him think they are safe...for the moment...

FLYING BOATS
Forgot to address this. IF I had ANY brain cells I would have thought of this. It is was the idea occurred the turn AFTER I lost those DDs picking up the troops. On the bright side I saved enough of both SNLF to rebuild them and I got an American CA, however, losing 4 DDs is never good.

[Canoerebel]

I would never garrison PM against an experienced Japanese player.  From what I have seen, good and experienced IJ players like to attack PM by January 1942.  The Allied garrison will either be defeated or bypassed and rendered irrelevant.
 
Now, against an inexperienced Japanese player all bets are off.  Garrisoning PM could really throw them off.

[John 3rd]

The Japanese finally reveal their plans with a landing at Diamond Harbor on February 21st and the easy capture of this portal into India the following day. The Allies didn't spot the Japanese TFs until the 16" guns of Nagato and Mutsu opened fire at dawn of the 21st.

You can see the initial Landing Force with the 5th and 18th ID coming in on the 24th:





Calcutta here we come!

BANZAI!!!

[John 3rd]

Not to be outdone, the Eastern Prong of the Left Hook lands on the 23rd and easily takes Chittagong on the 24th. Yamashiro and Fuso Cover this landing.

The TK Regiments are given the order to CHARGE! Let us not get hung up in ANY form of the Bocage Country...





You will notice CarDiv2 Covering both Landings. There is no aerial action whatsoever. A Sentai of 42 Oscar fly in to Diamond Harbor the day it falls and another Sentai of 40 move to Chittagong.

[John 3rd]

Have to apologize for not doing any recent updates. My Manager went to Las Vegas for a 6 Day Corporate stay (rough life)and I have been eating, sleeping, and living the Holiday Inn during that time.

Lew and I continue our turns and are moving forward. We just finished the March 1, 1942 turn so I am two weeks behind. I've got tomorrow off so maybe I can do a comprehensive update.

Anyway...just wanted to throw this out so readers know. I am trying to convince Lew to re-start his AAR so people can read side-by-side. We'll see if I can swing him over...

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
North Pacific
February 15-March 1, 1942

The two opponents settle into a reinforcement strategy while rapidly (if possible) building up Air Fields and facilities. More aircraft are drawn into the fight and grounds troops are on-the-way for both sides.

The Japanese are not committing to any form of major action until the Fleet sails up from the Home Islands. Expect this to occur about March 5th with the re-opening of serious fighting around March 15th.

I'll do this region in a day-by-day report:

16th--A Mavis drops a bomb on the Matsonia. A Recon Chutai of Dinah and a Chutai of Kates arrive in Theatre at Adak. Adak goes to AF-2!

17th--Landing at Unmak by 3 JNAF Base Forces. A Daitai of 27 Betty arrive from Midway (got to LOVE range!).

18th--Unmak Falls

20th--At Umnak CL Yura and 2 DD fight off three American DD. Little damage to either side. A group of 8 Betty attack shipping at Cold Bay but have to fight through 6 P-39. First time Allied Fighters have been seen up north. Adak goes to Port 2 and an AS, 2 AKE, and an AR disband into the expanding Port.

23rd--Two Infantry Brigades from China/Korea begin unloading at Adak.

24th--A Sentai of 40 Oscar 1c begin unloading at Adak.

26th--9 P-39 attack a CM at Dutch Harbor and hit it with one bomb. IT later sinks, however, a Minefield now exists at this base. An I-Boat misses BB Colorado as she enters the Theatre! A BB? Yummy...

28th--An Engineer Regiment begins unloading at Unmak to aid construction. An 18 Knot AK leaves Rabaul carrying a full Daitai of 27 A6M3 fighters for Umnak.

March 1st--Unmak goes to AF-1, a Daitai of Vals arrive at Attu, and Japanese SS score at Kodiak: I-168 sinks TK M. Storey with 2 Torps and damages the large TK Mobilgas with another Torp.


Planning:
Kaigun
1. CTF (Akagi, Junyo, Nisshin, Zuiho) carrying 86 Zero, 41 Val, and 59 Kate will depart Kobe about March 5th with an escort of 1 CS, 3 CA, 1 CL, and 8 DD.

2. STF (Yamato, Hiei, Kirishima) will provide the punch to sink whatever is in the area.

Ground
Once the Carriers have secured the area, I will grab the base directly west of Cold Bay for development and possibly land 3 Inf Brigades at Cold Bay. While sounding good, I think I might wait to do this until I can get the 19th Inf Div moved from Rabaul up to Adak.

Air
Another Daitai of Betty will arrive within two weeks. This should suffice for my immediate needs. I should have Two Daitai of Betty, 1 Sentai of Oscars, 1 Daitai of Zero, 2 Chutai of Mavis/Emily, and individual Chutais of Dinah, Val, and Kate.

[ny59giants]

What are you doing with your subs in the North?? Glen equipped are going where??

[John 3rd]

Combat Report
Central/South Pacific
Feb 16-March 1, 1942

As bases continue to be developed there is strong action taking place as well.

16th--Port Moresby is attacked at 2-1 and Forts drop to 0.

17th--A Japanese Shock Attack comes off poorly at 1-2.

19th--BC Hiei and Kirishima with 5 DD attack an Allied TF at Noumea. The STF crushes an Allied AMC, 3 Big AP, and 2 AM! BANZAI!

Off Newcastle, Australia the I-6 sinks CM Oglala.

20th--Milne Bay goes to AF-4

21st--A small STF of CL Isuzu and 6 DD strike Suva. At Suva they find 2 US DD, 2 DMS, 3 AP, and 4 AK. An American DD is crippled, all APs get hit by guns, and two AK take single Torps. No reports as to sinkings but there were troop casualties reported.

Lunga goes to AF-5!

Port Moresby is attacked again but only sees a 1-1 result. Decide to rest the troops and sortie a BB Bombardment TF to help soften up the resistance for the final attack.

22nd--Move two Daitai of Zero and Kate (From KB) to Milne Bay and Lae to add to the attack on the Aussie troops.

24th--Ise and Hyuga bombard the AF at Moresby doing 229 Casualties, it is then hit by nearly 100 aircraft, and finally it surrenders to the Japanese yielding over 6,000 POWs!

I-2 sinks DD Schley at Suva

27th--An I-Boat reports a TF moving towards Suva. I know there are damaged ships sitting IN Suva. Decide to form-up Shokaku, Zuikaku, and Shoho to attack this base. They set out on the 27th moving just south of the Solomons.

28th--Lunga goes to Port-3. It now has a goodly amount of fuel (45,000), an AS, and 2 AKE.

Planning:
1. Port Moresby--Order the pick-up of 19th ID A and B from PM to move north and join 19th ID-C at Adak.

I am done expanding in this area. Milne Bay and Lae are solid and nicely expanding. Lunga looks great too! I will shuffle troops and ships down here to make the Theatre APPEAR active but everything is solid enough for this Japanese Imperialist.

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

What are you doing with your subs in the North?? Glen equipped are going where??

Hi Michael.

I have 3 Glen Boats (I-10/15/26) patrolling the area. They are marked in Yellow on the Screenshot. I have the Glens doing recon over Kodiak, Cold Bay, and Anchorage when they draw near to those bases. It isn't everyday so I don't lose the Glens very quickly.

The other 3 Boats are the excellent (I-168/171/172). They are marked in red. They have had several attacks up here and seem to be doing very well.

The squadron of 6 Boats is getting reinforced by 3 more within a week or so.

Here is a current shot:

[John 3rd]

I am ready for bed so will hold up on additional regional updates, however, I really want to Post some thoughts and reports on my SS. The Japanese I-Boats and Ro-Class did quite well to start with but I noticed a decline in attacks and sinkings about 6 weeks ago. Decided to rest the Boats for a while and change their Patrol Zones.

The results have been amazing to watch! My SS have been highly active and successful during this two week period in time. Some of this is due to my CV Raid into the IO and the landings in India but not all of it.

Let me do the day-to-day attacks:

17th
I-158 sinks an AKL in the IO

19th
I-16 sinks an AK off Ceylon with 5 Sh/2TT
I-6 sinks CM Oglala off of Newcastle, Aust with 1 TT

21st
Ro-60 sinks AK Henry Grove near Christmas Isle

24th
I-2 sinks DD Schley at Suva with 1TT

26th
I-158 sinks AK Chilka and AKL Ardent off the tip of India
I-20 sinks AK Indira and AKL Agnes off of Columbo

27th
I-156 sinks AK Floridian off of Ceylon
I-20 damages AKL Chaksang with 5 Shells near Ceylon
I-2 hits AK Alchiba with a TT at Suva causing Casualties

28th
I-157 sinks AK Trieste with 2 TT near Koggala, Ceylon

March 1st
I-16 sinks AK Steel Inventor NE of Ceylon
I-158 sinks AKLs Selma and Wosang near Ceylon
I-20 sinks AKs Edward Luchenbach and Santa Elisa with guns and TT near Ceylon
I168 sinks TK M. Storey and damages TK Mobilgas at Kodiak

Totals from Feb 16-March 1st:
SUNK: 1 DD, 1 CM, 9 AK, 5 AKL, and 1 TK=17 Ships
Damaged: 1 AK, 1 AKL, 1 TK=3 Ships

That makes 20 ships sunk or damaged in a two week span of time! Pretty fair work if you ask me. BANZAI! Guess it REALLY helps to adjust your Patrol Zones AND move your AS and fuel closer to the action.

I've got AS at Adak, Midway, Lunga, and Port Blair. These moves REALLY help to cut down turn-around time with the Boats so I am getting more bang for my Torp right now.

[n01487477]

Hi John -
have you not read that search arcs are not working at present... I only mention is because of the Aleutians screen capture... reset them back to default.

Cheers

[John 3rd]

Hey Damian. No--I was unaware of the problem. What is going on?

Should I simply set all my searches for...say 50% and not assign the arc?