The Power of Inexperience / GreyJoy(A)-Rader(J)

[GreyJoy]

Thank you guys! It's great that someone actually reads and care to drop a comment or a line...or better a suggestion! THANKS!

4 more days in war. We're now at Christmas (25/12/1941) and it seems that i was totally worng. Don't know what's happening...the "Midway-Invasion-TF" prooved to be just an AK and a PB...moving alone!...the passed Midway and now are moving towards PH!... what does it mean!?!??! If this is a decoy...i've lost something like 1 whole week evacuating PH...ufffffffff[:(]

His merchant raiders are sinking many many transports south of Fiji and in NOPAC...and that means i have to escort them heavily...or, worse, to delay them waiting for some escorts to get available...

In China...well guys here it's a mess. I'm trying to concentrate and to mass my forces but his guys seem to have 4 legs and march twice the speed of mines! I'm always outrunned and pocketed! Now another pocket has been formed south of Sian and the pressure is so high everywhere that every line, even if composed of 4 corps + 2 HQ in woods, is easily overruned.
I counted in the last 2 turns, something lime 230 bombers active each day over China's skies...My AVG is already too depleted and every single bombing run is now escorted by hordes of zeros.
Think i'll have to abbandon Changsha very soon and try to reorganize elsewhere in the back of the front (if he lets me!). In the north of China the situation is even worse. Supplies are very low (yes, i'm using the planes from Ledo to bring supplies, but they're never enough!)

Palembang fell easily under a massive strike of 1500 AV!!!!!! Now Java is really isolated and the ducths are all alone.

Davao fell today. Now Luzon too is alone.

In SOPAC he's advancing in the ESPIRITU SANTU islands...very close to an empty Noumea. he's landing in every single dot he finds in the pacific (why he does that!?!?)...he's now approaching Pago Pago and i fear the Fiji are the next target.

Wake fell under a storm 3 days ago. 1000 AVs couldn't be stopped by my brave marines.
In 20 days he already reached the maximum historical jap perimeter...IMPRESSIVE!

I don't have enough LBs at the moment to think about an air counteroffensive. My Air army can be called like that only on paper. My squadrons are scattered around, with few av support, very few decent bases and no experience at all. We need more time!

India is unguarded. At Karachi there are just 160 AVs...he could bring the KB and a couple of Divs and conquer the whole place!

Luckly Singa still holds and he has just conquered today Alor Star...so we'll have some more time here.

I'm trying to use my dutch subs as aggressivly as i can but i'm not having luck (or abilities) to intercept any juicy target and every single TF now is well guarded by ASW patrols...

Overall the situation could be worse but it's far from being good.

If he's not moving towards the Hawaii...where is he going???


PS: in the pic you can see in yellow the pockets already formed and in red the main jap advance vectors...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy


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Morning Air attack on TF, near San Luis Obispo at 207,95

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 18 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3 Wildcat x 11
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima, Bomb hits 1



Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless bombing from 8000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

And that's all!?!?!??!?!?! 1 single bomb!?!??!?! [:-][:-][:-]
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Lahaina at 194,92

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 28 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes


Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 9
SBD-2 Dauntless x 13
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
CA Tone, Bomb hits 2, on fire[:o][:o]



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
13 x SBD-2 Dauntless bombing from 6000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
8 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Make sure your SBDs are set to the right altitude for divebombing. If they are listed as 'releasing' they are divebombing (or glidebombing), if they are listed as 'bombing' they are level bombing. Level bombing is relatively inaccurate compared to divebombing. Iirc the db altitude setting should be 10-14k. Someone here will have a better memory than me.

Yes, they are all at 10k! Thx

[terje439]

I see you move towards the base between Kweilin and Nanning. Don't! It is in open terrain, you will get hammered. Kweilin at least is forested, better to stay there. A few Qs;
1. How have you garrisoned Changsha and the three cities next to it?
2. How many units is he bringing to the base NE of Changsha? and howmany troops do you have there?
3. I would stay in the forest SW of Sian and not in the base, again open vs forest
4. Two options with the isolated units -
a) attack with them so they get destroyed and respawn in Chungking in 30 (?) days at 1/3 strength
b) try to get them behind the Japanese lines and cut supplies.
5. You will ALWAYS be short of supplies in China. Do not build up alot of stuff here, lvl 3 forts at bases you decide to defend, and consider expanding the AF you fly supplies to from Ledo to keep op losses down.

If you go with 4a, wait untill the units are depleted, if you manage to keep them alive 1 more day, you slow the Japanese down one more day as well.
In my most recent game I have something like 10 units in Changsha, lvl2 fort, negative modifier for supply. The Japanese brought a total of 15 units, including two full divisions. Three days later he left after suffering devastating losses there (25k in one day). So it is a strongpoint for sure!

Where are you shipping the troops from Aden and South Africa (temporay amnesia, do not recall the name of the port [X(]). You should be getting some AV to help garrison India.

Terje

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: terje439

I see you move towards the base between Kweilin and Nanning. Don't! It is in open terrain, you will get hammered.

I'm just tryin to send a recovery force at Kweilin, in order to give hand during the retreat to the units that are actually there to keep the RR open! I won't defend there anyway.

1. How have you garrisoned Changsha and the three cities next to it?

Changsha was well defended but didn't have enought corps to defend all 3 cities. Changsha position is trong, i know, but as far as i cannot wall-defend my flanks and the railroad the risk of simply be bypassed is too high. So i decided to abbandon the whole district and fall back north using the RR between Kweilin and Changsha (if it remains open!).

3. I would stay in the forest SW of Sian and not in the base, again open vs forest

Yes, i'm trying to open now the pocket of Kaifeng, hoping to save some corps in order to put a strong defensive perimeter around Sian. Time is running up anyway...

Where are you shipping the troops from Aden and South Africa (temporay amnesia, do not recall the name of the port [X(]). You should be getting some AV to help garrison India.

I've sent them all to Karachi...but, till now, it's all about some 200 AVs...nothing much arrived yet!

However i'm now seriously considering the idea of concentrating on a small perimeter in China focusing around Chungking...hopefully with a smeller perimeter and some wood terrain i'll be able to slow down (if not to halt) the japanese blitzkrieg.


Thanks Terje, really appreciate your support[:)]

[GreyJoy]

.

[GreyJoy]

Now i found this news in the intel report...If the Soryu is moving towards Timor this could mean he wants to cover with KB the invasion of Northern Oz, or the invasion of Java...however this could mean he's not going for the Hawaii...

Do i have to believe it?

[GreyJoy]

NOPAC

[jeffk3510]

Keep up the good work. Look for opportunities to strike a blow where he least expects it. Allies do take a beating early on, but you will be ready soon enough. As for loosing your entire Pac Fleet like you said. Those old BBs aren't that big of a loss if you ask me. Very slow and need air cover... however they are good for bombardment task forces, which you wont be making anytime soon.

Thanks.

[GreyJoy]

Strat Map at Dec 25th 1941.

[GreyJoy]

I just sent a letter to my opponent regarding one of our HR and i'd like to know your opinions about it.
 
Rader asked and i agree to limit the max alt of CAP-Sweep-Bombing to 20k feet, in order to stop the unrealistic and unbalancing "race to the stratosphere". it seemed reasonable and fair.
 
However now all our fighters, no matter what, are set for CAP-Sweep at 20k, so our engagements always - and i mean ALWAYS - take part at this altitude.

The problem i do see is that this is becoming boring and predictable. The effects in combat results are not a problem at the moment, but the fact that you will always know at which altitude are enemy fighters coming in seems to me a bit odd...and, in the long run, pretty boring.
 
What do you think? Is there an HR which can address the stratosphere problem and at the same time give some unpredicity (sp??) to the air war?
 
Thx

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

However i'm now seriously considering the idea of concentrating on a small perimeter in China focusing around Chungking...hopefully with a smaller perimeter and some wood terrain i'll be able to slow down (if not to halt) the japanese blitzkrieg.

Hi GreyJoy,

I think a decision to withdraw to a smaller perimeter around Chungking would be a disaster. Your main achilles heel in China will be supply. Simply abandoning bases that produce supply will hasten the fall of China. Defending the hex S.W. of Sian does nothing in terms of stemming the Japanese onslaught, if anything the march through rough terrain takes your forces completely out of the fight and will see the Japanese use the roads to then isolate and destroy your forces. You must fight in rough terrain while blocking roads to force him to lose time and take casualties in my opinion. If you let Japanese forces gain ground unopposed, especially the important fuel/oil/supply producing bases for nothing you'll be facing a huge Japanese onslaught against Chungking eventually and your forces will be powerless to intervene or hold due to their poor quality and total lack of supplies. TIME is not on your side in China if you simply fall back, it works in the Pacific, but not in China. Again, stick to rough terrain, mass your units as quickly as you can, build forts at crucial bases in rough terrain and hold river lines whenever possible. Use your terrain and numbers to at least attrition and slow the Japanese advance, you'll gain experienced units and eventually be in a position to hold somewhere farther back. Don't underestimate what lack of supply will eventually do to your forces.

I see from your screenshot you are moving a fair amount of troops in rough terrain and not along the roads, this will cause you serious delay. I also see you are not holding the hex S.E. of Ankang, this is rough terrain and forces a river assault which is ideal defensive terrain if he attempts to move on Ankang along the road. Same applies at Changteh providing Changsha covers the flank. Don't give up your interior lines of communication and the railway cheaply. Again, use the 3x multiplying terrain to your advantage while massing your troops early to slow the enemy advance. The speed at which Japanese forces can move will surprise you, and with his air force interdicting your troop movements, I fear you'll be completely outmaneuvered before you can mass.

Respectfully [:)]

[terje439]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
The problem i do see is that this is becoming boring and predictable. The effects in combat results are not a problem at the moment, but the fact that you will always know at which altitude are enemy fighters coming in seems to me a bit odd...and, in the long run, pretty boring.

What do you think? Is there an HR which can address the stratosphere problem and at the same time give some unpredicity (sp??) to the air war?

Thx

Still to me that would be better than having Oscar Ib's outfly the Lightnings and 'Canes due to higher altitude. I have no such HR in my games, and in one I rarely fly, I let my Liberators shoot down his planes. But I see alot of people using a HR that no AC is allowed above their second best band manouver altitude.

Terje

*edit* oh and do not worry about your opponents progress, I can show you a MUCH worse picture in -43 in one of my games [:D]

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

However i'm now seriously considering the idea of concentrating on a small perimeter in China focusing around Chungking...hopefully with a smaller perimeter and some wood terrain i'll be able to slow down (if not to halt) the japanese blitzkrieg.

Hi GreyJoy,

I think a decision to withdraw to a smaller perimeter around Chungking would be a disaster. Your main achilles heel in China will be supply. Simply abandoning bases that produce supply will hasten the fall of China. Defending the hex S.W. of Sian does nothing in terms of stemming the Japanese onslaught, if anything the march through rough terrain takes your forces completely out of the fight and will see the Japanese use the roads to then isolate and destroy your forces. You must fight in rough terrain while blocking roads to force him to lose time and take casualties in my opinion. If you let Japanese forces gain ground unopposed, especially the important fuel/oil/supply producing bases for nothing you'll be facing a huge Japanese onslaught against Chungking eventually and your forces will be powerless to intervene or hold due to their poor quality and total lack of supplies. TIME is not on your side in China if you simply fall back, it works in the Pacific, but not in China. Again, stick to rough terrain, mass your units as quickly as you can, build forts at crucial bases in rough terrain and hold river lines whenever possible. Use your terrain and numbers to at least attrition and slow the Japanese advance, you'll gain experienced units and eventually be in a position to hold somewhere farther back. Don't underestimate what lack of supply will eventually do to your forces.

I see from your screenshot you are moving a fair amount of troops in rough terrain and not along the roads, this will cause you serious delay. I also see you are not holding the hex S.E. of Ankang, this is rough terrain and forces a river assault which is ideal defensive terrain if he attempts to move on Ankang along the road. Same applies at Changteh providing Changsha covers the flank. Don't give up your interior lines of communication and the railway cheaply. Again, use the 3x multiplying terrain to your advantage while massing your troops early to slow the enemy advance. The speed at which Japanese forces can move will surprise you, and with his air force interdicting your troop movements, I fear you'll be completely outmaneuvered before you can mass.

Respectfully [:)]

hi mate and thanks a lot for taking the time to write this all down.

You may be right and, for sure, you have more exp than me (well, think everybody here does have more exp than me [:)] ). However, as far as i'm knowing my opponent's style of play (also reading his other AARs), it seems to me that he has a particular habit to outflank and outmanouvre the enemy's strongpoints. He has already done here (creating the pocket south of Sian): he avoids entering in heavy defended city and simply bypass them on the flanks, closing the gap and so starving the enemy's stack which will be eventually reduced after a week or two of heavy bombings.

I do feel the drama in this decision i took. It was something like "do we defend Kiev and Smolensk or better to fall back and defend Moska and the Don river?"...difficult to say for me. I feel Changsha overexposed, especially on its flanks and i do see the railway as the only way to move faster than the japs and to estabilish a new perimeter in the north. I may be wrong and if so China is doomed. But, anyway, the decision has already been taken and it's too late to go back now.

The supply problem is surely one of the major ones, but at the moment the biggest problem i have to face is the initial deployment of my forces and the ability of the japs to move faster than me and exploit my bad deployment.

Where you see units moving not on the road, it's just because he pushed me in the wilderness or because i need to rush to close some communication lines and cannot efford to take the long route. Later i will post a strategic map of my future defensive plan for china (which is, however, subordinated to the fact that i'm able to use the rr and moving faster than the japs so anticipating his advance on the main railroad line).

I'll try to mass some transport planes at Ledo trying to keep a costant flow of supplies. however at this stage of the war there are very few of them and they're scattered all over the map.

Let me now show you a typical day in the skies of China. This reports are taken from the last turn...have a look and you can so understand why my positions now are so undefendable...

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Morning Air attack on Kweilin , at 76,54

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 9



No Japanese losses



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Morning Air attack on 94th Chinese Corps, at 82,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 13



No Japanese losses

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Morning Air attack on 59th Chinese Corps, at 83,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
G3M2 Nell x 23



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 8th Chinese Corps, at 81,49

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 17 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 84



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
178 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
11 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
19 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
9 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
25 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 18th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 87th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 8th Chinese Corps ...


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Morning Air attack on 32nd Group Army, at 86,60 (Foochow)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 25 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 50



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
234 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
20 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
25 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
5 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 70th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 70th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...


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Morning Air attack on 13th Chinese Corps, at 86,46

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 31 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
G3M2 Nell x 23



Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
109 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
15 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
8 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Kweilin , at 76,54

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet



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Morning Air attack on 70th Chinese Corps, at 86,60 (Foochow)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 43 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 33



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
218 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
24 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 70th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 70th Chinese Corps ...


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Morning Air attack on 100th Chinese Corps, at 89,58 (Wenchow)

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 19



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
14 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
19 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 35th Chinese Corps, at 91,39

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 21



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
18 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 13th Group Army ...
Also attacking 35th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 13th Group Army ...
Also attacking 35th Chinese Corps ...


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Morning Air attack on 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps, at 87,43 (Loyang)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 38
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 22
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
297 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
23 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
6 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 93rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 27th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 80th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 14th Group Army ...
Also attacking 4th Chinese Base Force ...
Also attacking 5th New Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps ...
Also attacking 27th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps ...
Also attacking 93rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 80th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 4th Chinese Base Force ...
Also attacking 5th New Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps ...
Also attacking 27th Chinese Corps ...


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Morning Air attack on 39th Chinese Corps, at 83,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 14 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 27
Ki-36 Ida x 9
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 21



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 damaged
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
7 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 33rd Group Army ...
Also attacking 59th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 33rd Group Army ...
Also attacking 59th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 39th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 33rd Group Army ...
Also attacking 39th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 33rd Group Army ...
Also attacking 39th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 33rd Group Army ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 39th Chinese Corps, at 83,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 11



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 108th/2 Base Force, at 51,65

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 48 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 20



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 94th Chinese Corps, at 82,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 20



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
20 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 32nd Group Army, at 86,60 (Foochow)

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 55



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
287 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 13 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
28 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 32nd Group Army ...
Also attacking 86th Chinese Corps ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 9th Chinese Corps, at 87,43 (Loyang)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 2



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
30 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 25th Chinese Corps, at 81,55

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 17
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 5



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 7th War Area , at 77,56

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 20
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 37



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-48-Ib Lily: 1 damaged


Allied ground losses:
41 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
16 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb
21 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 100 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 11th Chinese Base Force ...
Also attacking 13th Chinese Base Force ...
Also attacking 12th Group Army ...
Also attacking 7th War Area ...
Also attacking 11th Chinese Base Force ...
Also attacking 13th Chinese Base Force ...
Also attacking 7th War Area ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 2nd Prov Chinese Corps, at 76,57 (Wuchow)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 8
Ki-51 Sonia x 10



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 33rd Chinese Corps, at 89,38

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 36 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-36 Ida x 21



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
21 x Ki-36 Ida bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 30 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 19th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 33rd Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 19th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 33rd Chinese Corps ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 58th Chinese Corps, at 83,52

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 46 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 9



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 37th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 58th Chinese Corps ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 78th Chinese Corps, at 82,53

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-51 Sonia x 12



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 3rd New Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 78th Chinese Corps ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 94th Chinese Corps, at 82,48

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 49 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 16 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
2 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 20000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 68th Chinese Corps, at 82,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 6000 feet



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 64th Chinese/B Corps, at 72,56

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 21 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5M1 Mabel x 3



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
25 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 40th Chinese Corps, at 88,44 (Chengchow)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 29 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5M1 Mabel x 3



No Japanese losses



Aircraft Attacking:
3 x B5M1 Mabel bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 40th Chinese Corps, at 88,44 (Chengchow)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 6
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 3



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
6 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
6 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 68th Chinese Corps, at 82,47

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 23
Ki-51 Sonia x 9



Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 2 damaged


Allied ground losses:
17 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 67th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 68th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 67th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 68th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 67th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 68th Chinese Corps ...


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 27th Chinese Corps, at 87,43 (Loyang)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 11
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 15



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
12 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 93rd Chinese Corps, at 87,43 (Loyang)

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 6,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 15
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 14



No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
8 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb



...and during some days it's even worse![:o]

[terje439]

You'll be able to repay him in full when your Liberators come rolling out [;)]

Terje

[SqzMyLemon]

It certainly looks like you have your hands full [X(]. As to my experience, I'm learning too and honestly have never been on the Allied receiving end of things. That's definitely an aggressive Japanese advance in China. There are ways for you to counter, but I'll defer to you having a better handle on things than myself [;)]. It definitely will be interesting to follow along and if you are able to stabilize China that will be a great accomplishment, not to mention really challenge you. If you can weather this storm it's safe to say you'll be in good shape the rest of the way!

[ny59giants]

You seem to be facing an opponent that is reaching out to what may be his max perimeter and then will go back and 'back fill' those bases or areas he by passed at a later date.

North Pacific:
Send the 19th Combat Eng that starts in San Fran to Prince Rupert. This unit is destine to be withdrawn in mid 42, but does you more good up here expanding your port and then your AF. This is my main northern base. Port Rupert gets my Canadian air units that can eventually bought out. I send those BF from the interior of Canada to here (2) and Vancouver.

Nearby to Port Rupert is Annette Island - There is an EAB engineer to be used somewhere else. The BF at Fairbanks heads south to Seward (expand this port). Kodiak will eventual have an AS sent there as Dutch Harbor is too close in your game for some subs. Up to 10 S-boats and the large fleet subs one go up here to watch/patrol. Kodiak will have a lot of xAKs with those Canadian KV and/or AMs shipping in supply and fuel.

Your American C2 Cargo Class xAK can convert to xAP in 2/42. Need to get them to the USA. You have plenty of xAK for cargo (supplies), but not enough xAP for troops. Meanwhile over around India you have lots of Dominion and Pacific Class xAKs that can convert to xAPs. ALL of them head for Cape Town for conversions then to Panama before the USA. You don't need that many xAP around India for now and you have enough short legged xAPs there (or will soon).

In India/Burma I avoided major A2A combat for some time as I needed to train up my pilots. Your Buffalos are dead meat, so train them up (rest in a safe base till morale is 100, then 100% training, Escort, once they get over 65 Air experience, then lower altitude to 100', sweep, which will raise your Strafing skill, but more importantly raise your Defend experience). Max out your pilots for each air unit.

I focus mainly on making any potential invasion of India costly, but you need to look for the 23 AA Bde that comes in at Colombo. It is a nasty flak unit and I ship it to Ledo. Add in another Hvy AA and 100 heavy AA guns will take a toll on Japanese LB. C-47 will go here eventually to help keep China in the fight..

I use two CS convoys of Transmarine Cargo Class (3200) with 3 escorts of KV, PC, or AM running to and from San Fran and Pearl. I'm in mid-June 42 and Pearl has over 1.2 million in supply.

I'm playing a Japanese rookie and I tried to defend in the open terrain in China, not a good outcome. Thankfully, we are going to restart our game once the official patch comes out. I have played AE and WITP for some time and I still learn from my mistakes.

Your CVs can have some extra Marine fighters placed on board. As long as you are not above 115% of capacity, you can still conduct flight ops. 18 addition fighters in the early part of 42 is nice. They eventually become "Carrier Trained" which will help out later.

Just a few thoughts.

[GreyJoy]

Thank you Ny59giant! Very usefull tips! Especially that one about the AK->AP conversion!
Have to say that i never devoted much time looking at the single ship-cass, treating them as they were just divided into types (Ak, Aps, DDs, etc)...now i will take my time to look for those AKs that can convert! i've already ordered many conversions ![:D]

I'm a bit late with the updates cause i didn't have much time...i'll try to catch up and make a weekly resumé of the last week of the year 1941.

[GreyJoy]

25-27 Dec 1941

DEI-SRA-PI

He finally entered with 20 units in Clark Fields which has been mostly evacuated. Only 3 units are guarding there and 2 more are in Bataan. Manila will be my last man standing point (hope in the city bonus and in the non-malarian hex).

The last days of Java have begun. 2 major japanese fleets appeared in the waters around Java. The first one is coming down from Palembang and it's probably directed towards Batavia. Several BBs and CAs have been identified there. My air force in Batavia tried to launch a serie of coordinated attacks (5 hexes north of Batavia) but the ducth escort was chewed by some 10 zeros LRcapping from Palembang and the Vitebsk squadrons could not stand a chance to survive. Overall i've lost 47 planes in these strikes for only 5 of theirs without scoring a single hit. My Cats from Singa, put on naval strike, managed to sink a couple of transports full of troops:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Singkawang at 55,87

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes


Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 3


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryoyo Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
1499 casualties reported
Squads: 43 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 41 (40 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
-----------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Toboali at 50,92

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 19 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2



Allied aircraft
PBY-4 Catalina x 6


No Japanese losses

No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAK Kyokko Maru, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
329 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

....but when the tried to target the BBs near Toboali (south of Palembang) they ended up being killed with no mercy by the Capping zeros.

at the same time, another Bombardment TF materialized east of Java...probable destination: Sosarbaja.
Here we launched a massive air strike with the ducth LBs...finally no zeros on CAP!!!...out of almost 30 sorties with LBs at 6.000 feet we were'nt able to score a single bomb hit...depressing[:@]

I'll move out now my air forces from Batavia and Sosarbaja. Pretty sure he will come after what remains of my depleted Java air defence forces.


SOPAC:

His advance continues. He has conquered every single base or dot in NG-Solomons, exept for PM and Rabaul. Lungaville has been occupied too and i bet Noumea will be next.
In the Fiji he's getting close to Suva...useless to say i won't be able to fight for it at the moment.

CENTPAC:

i've come up to the conclusion that he's using some AKs as bait for my CVs...one of my subs attacked one of those AKs near Midway...sunk it but there were no troops aboard it. And the PB spotted in the past days has been lingering between Midway and Palmira with no apparent mission...lost one entire week fearing for an invasion!!! grrrrrrr[:@]
I so decided to send the planned reinforces to PH. Several convoys have been created, escorted by strong ASW assets and my 3 CVs in order to give Hawaii a chance of defending itself from an invasion. Big Island will be garrisoned and every island will have at least 80 AVs. Mining operations are underway too...

NOPAC:

everything seems calm here now. We've sent the canadian mountain regiment to Ducth Harbour and the DD division is now in place...this should at least protect my transport TFs from his raiders. However it will take some time before this theatre could have enough forces to be considered safe... he will however need a medium scale invasion fleet in order to dislodge me from Kodiak or Ducth H.

India:

nothing to report.

China:

Well, at the moment this is the major theatre so i'll try to spend more words on it during the day in order to explain what's going on there. However, for the moment, i'll just let you know that the overall situation is growing worse every day with no sign of relief....[:o]

[GreyJoy]

.

[CaptBeefheart]

For reference, those Sigint reports, such as the one on the CV moving to the DEI, are 100% accurate as far as I know. It's sightings in the combat report that are quite often bogus.

Cheers,
CC