Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[Cribtop]

Feb 25, 1942

nygiants59: I concur. The intention with these CVEs is to raid convoy routes, hoping to bag a big convoy and give CF something to think about. There's no guarantee we won't bump into a USN CV, but I'm going to route them to minimize the risk. I think the psychological and strategic impact of forcing the enemy to re-route and/or more heavily escort his convoys is worth the risk of these two slow tubs.

Subs

Sealion duds on a DMS near Manado. Guess she wasn't hit too badly after all. K IX misses the same DMS 40 miles away.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Our big reinforcement TF finishes unloading at Truk. In a happy coincidence, Rabaul hits level 7 airfield, freeing up 3 construction LCUs to build up bases in the Solomons, where some of the newly arrived forces will be stationed.

DA Horn Island achieves only a 1:2 due to fort levels, but casualties are a gratifying 45(3) vs 27(0). We will wait a few days and then attack again in co-ordination with dropping the second para unit. The xAKL has dropped 800+ tons of supplies already so this little op should accelerate.

Three AMCs with search planes are probing the enemy convoy routes near Noumea, Fiji and Canton Island, respectively. Intention is to snoop around for convoys or evidence of CF's carriers. Best estimate of Cribtop Intel is that they are based somewhere in the Auckland/Fiji/Noumea triangle.

14th Army

We at last slog into position near Cotobato to finish off the remnants of the enemy's Mindanao defenders. DA tomorrow.

16th Army

Morotai falls. We continue to pull together disparate units to Kendari in preparation for further attacks. We have 2nd Raiding Regt and numerous transports in position at Makassar for the Denpasar Op.

25th Army

DA Singapore tomorrow. Fingers crossed. We know the enemy is still at 0 forts as daily bombings have pushed airfield damage up to 55.

15th Army

The enemy has abandoned Magwe. Cribtop HQ is surprised as even token resistance could have resulted in serious damage to the significant Oil facilities there if CF got lucky. Looks like the enemy is bagging it in Burma as he is falling back rapidly, pressed by our troops. Recon shows no Chinese forces in theater. The RTA Cav corps cuts the railroad to Lashio.

China

Operation S commences as our troops march out. We will remain alert to attacks from the Changsha/Ichang front but recon shows nothing brewing. In fact, the biggest stack other than the Sian army we can see is 11 LCUs at Kanshien. Only 8 at Changsha and 9 at Ichang (although those are pretty stout formations by Chinese standards). I think both players are still incorporating the reality of the destruction of the Nanyang stack on the balance of power. I'm sure the view on that looks better from Tokyo than it does from Chungking.

DA Pucheng gets 16:1 odds, casualties 659(4) 228(1). Note the rapid degradation of the enemy's adjusted AV (down from 4:1 odds in yesterday's attack).

5th Fleet

Adak falls. One more day to unload supplies and we will steam for home. Picket ships don't detect a whiff of activity.

Other

Cribtop Intel regretfully informs HQ that the reported sinking of Prince of Wales was in error. Not a huge surprise with only 2 torpedo hits, but hopefully she is laid up in the yard for some time.

[Cribtop]

February 26, 1942

Captain Robert "Bob" Martin of the 2/19th Bttn, 22nd Australian Brigade, surveyed the wreckage of another failed Japanese attack on his position in the waning hours of a warm afternoon in Fortress Singapore. As he panned his binoculars from left to right, shrapnel wounds from a grenade stung him for the thousandth time. Most of the men on the front line, an abandoned cannery become fortified outpost, carried one wound or another. This morning the Japanese had come again as they did every three days or so. He was astonished at the effectiveness of their infiltration efforts and appalled at their willingness to suffer casualties in frontal assaults both day and night. The stench of the dead overwhelmed the smell of fires, expended ammunition and even the rather unpleasant odor emanating from his long shredded uniform. Still, his men had held with pride for weeks of constant bombing and ground assault.

His attention was pulled from the shattered buildings and broken men by two surprisingly clean officers moving up a communications trench leading back to Battalion HQ. "Capt. Martin, I presume?" said the first man, a staff Colonel with a distinctly English accent.

Martin snapped a salute. "Speaking, Sir."

"I'm Merriweather, and this is Major Upton, from AHQ Far East. We are here in person to make sure the cease fire announced by wireless is strictly observed."

"What cease fire? As you can see, we've been a bit busy the past few hours."

"Yes, quite unfortunate but the word hasn't reached all the subordinate commands on either side. Hence our little tour," said the Colonel.

He gestured to Upton, who produced a written order from General Percival informing all British Empire forces of a 24 hour cease fire, effective at 1300 hours.

A few hours too late for some of his men, thought Martin bitterly. It was then that an even darker thought rose unbidden from the pit of his stomach. "Colonel, may I inquire what this is all about?"

"Nothing to concern you, Captain. Use the time to re-provision and rest your men. You can expect further orders from AHQ tomorrow."

Merriweather seemed a decent sort, but acting was clearly not his strong suit. Martin considered his options and decided to risk going a bit beyond the bounds of military decorum. "Colonel, I've got a company down to 30% effectives that have held this ruin for over 15 days. For their sakes, please tell me what's going on."

Upton and Merriweather shared a furtive glance. "Look, Captain, the truth is the Jap 2nd Division finally broke through to the harbor. Our defenses are split in two. AHQ asked Yamashita for a cease fire to... Well, to discuss terms."

The air went out of Bob Martin. It seemed like all the hurts of the past three months, great and small, weighed on him anew with crushing force. "Is that it, then?"

Neither staff officer said a word in reply.

"Right. Well, do me a favor. Move in closer and pretend to talk things over for a few minutes."

"What for, Captain?" asked Merriweather.

"Can't let the men see me crying, Colonel."

Today, the fall of Singapore puts a coda to a black week from the Allied perspective. Despite the valiant defense of the fortress for 11 days past the historical surrender date (ironic that Percival's reputation probably fares a lot better in this virtual reality than it did historically), the enemy has suffered through the surrender of more than 100,000 UK and Chinese troops (51 LCUs) in the space of five days. Cuttlefish's decision not to withdraw any troops meant the fort held out for longer than we are used to in AE. However, he has lost more than is common now that all is said and done.

The base fell with 2:1 odds against zero forts. 33 LCUs surrender, including AHQ Far East, 9th and 11th Indian Divisions, 22nd and 27th Australian Brigades, and air HQs 223 and 224 Group RAF. Recall that six more LCUs were destroyed in the fighting before the base fell, so 39 are lost in total. Japanese units, while fatigued, are all at 95% of TO&E strength and ready for fresh conquests in Sumatra, Java and Oz after a few days' rest. Facilities are captured with about 33% damage. We will repair the Shipyard. Nonetheless, we tip our hats to a brave effort by the Brits here. Cribtop HQ feels more relief than jubilation, but a win is a win. VPs jump to 10,415 vs 6,307 this turn.

Subs

Escorts in a troop convoy bound for Kendari chase off K VII near Batjan. I-1 announces our presence in the Indian Ocean by sinking an xAKL near Koggala.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

No change.

14th Army

DA hex 78, 91 (near Cotobato) forces four battered LCUs to retreat with 2:1 odds, casualties 396(34) vs 105(1). We forgot to get out of move mode for this attack and still pull it off. The fall of Cotobato will effectively end combat operations on Mindanao and free up a regiment to rejoin the balance of 56th Division at Singapore.

16th Army

We spotted a DD in harbor at Soerabaja and try a port attack but no joy.

25th Army

Singapore falls and causes Cribtop HQ to issue the following orders. Imperial Guards will ship out to the Burma front. Two divisions will be used to seize northern and southern Sumatra. The remaining two divisions, plus 16th Division coming from Luzon, will invade Java in the company of three armored units. 21st and 38th Divisions will gather at Kendari and then invade NW Oz with three additional tank regiments in tow. All of these ops will commence not later than 10th March to ensure the landings take advantage of the invasion bonus. MKB will be needed to support the invasions. Eventual intention is for the Sumatra Divisions to move to Java to finish off sieges in the company of yet another division we will soon buy out of Kwantung Army.

15th Army

An abandoned Magwe falls to 33rd Division. Oil is captured at 297(3), refineries at 99(1). Nice.

China

DA Pucheng goes off at 26:1 odds, casualties 911(16) vs 184(0). Only a matter of time here.

5th Fleet

We finish unloading supplies at Adak and set course for home.

Other

CS Nisshin and I-29 arrive for duty.

[ny59giants]

I repaired/expanded Heavy Industry in Malaya to 100 (Georgetown to 25 & Singapore to 75) and the Repair Shipyard to 60 (large enough for two large warships (not two BBs). Why?? You have the Resources in that area and will probably ship in fuel from Palembang to Singapore. Might as well use it there. I lost the base on Jan 26th, so I did well (took it on Dec 31st as Japan [:)]).

Sumatra - I use any components of a division not rebuilt to take this island. Use the full divisions on Java.

[Cribtop]

Yes, I was following the HI thread on the main page with interest. Seems to me the OP's idea there - to repair HI in the periphery because it goes into a pool that doesn't have to be transported home - is sound. As a result we already patched up Georgetown's nominal damage.

My idea is to use 3 Divisions to get Java into a state of siege while two of them wrap up Sumatra ASAP. Then we use all five divisions to smash the sieges and call it a day. Still, Sumatra's defenses seem almost non-existent so perhaps two divisions is overkill. The unassembled division, the 56th, will be re-formed quickly by recalling the third regiment from Mindanao. I'm a BIG fan of re-assembling divisions as they hold up in heavy combat much better than regiments. Plus, if you need the maneuver elements, you can always divide them.

[ny59giants]

Could you post a screenshot of Java along with known or suspected Allied force disposition along with your proposed invasion (and conquest plans)??

[Capt. Harlock]

Captain Robert "Bob" Martin of the 2/19th Bttn, 22nd Australian Brigade, surveyed the wreckage of another failed Japanese attack on his position in the waning hours of a warm afternoon in Fortress Singapore. As he panned his binoculars from left to right, shrapnel wounds from a grenade stung him for the thousandth time.

Very nice writing -- but shouldn't you be doing something from the Japanese side?[;)]

[Cribtop]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Captain Robert "Bob" Martin of the 2/19th Bttn, 22nd Australian Brigade, surveyed the wreckage of another failed Japanese attack on his position in the waning hours of a warm afternoon in Fortress Singapore. As he panned his binoculars from left to right, shrapnel wounds from a grenade stung him for the thousandth time.

Very nice writing -- but shouldn't you be doing something from the Japanese side?[;)]

Thanks Capt. H! We were wondering if anyone was enjoying the writing. Normally we do stick to the Japanese PoV, but since the 1st person accounts are an homage to Cuttlefish's superlative AARs, and since he occasionally showed the other side of the war in Small Ship, we thought it appropriate to acknowledge a fine stand at Singapore in this instance. We will confess to a few worries that 5 divisions at Singers wouldn't be enough. [&o]

As requested by nygiants, a screenie of Java (plus Oosthaven) with a few notes:




Enemy forces present per recon over the past few weeks:

Batavia - 12 LCU, 21 fighter (F), 29 bomber (B), 35 auxiliary (aux)

Soerabaja - 8 LCU, 7 B, 8 aux

Madioen - 1 LCU, 20ish F

Malang, Denpasar, Oosthaven, Merak - 1 LCU each

Buitenzorg - empty

[princep01]

That is fine writing, Cribtop. I enjoy those first person breaks in the strategy talk and combat reports.

My contribution is this: Percival was a huge, bleeding wimp.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Ugh, baby crying again. Screenie later tonight.

Know that one all too well myself! [;)]

[Cribtop]

ORIGINAL: princep01

That is fine writing, Cribtop. I enjoy those first person breaks in the strategy talk and combat reports.

My contribution is this: Percival was a huge, bleeding wimp.

Thanks!

PS - in real life, Percival didn't exactly acquit himself well. In this game, he still lost Malaya, but perhaps with more style and a bit of grit. [;)]

[SqzMyLemon]

Cribtop,

What's your plan for Sian once you arrive? Are you looking at a siege or a frontal assault? How many Chinese units are still east of Sian and at Yenan? If you could take invest Sian and block any westward Chinese movement from Yenan and area you could try to bag all those Chinese forces as well. Cuttlefish may be so focused on Sian that he won't see the possibility of having everything east of it caught in a far bigger net. Just a thought as I don't recall how many units he has blocking an advance against Yenan and north of the river.

Despite being in clear terrain, if the forts are 4 or higher it will take some time to reduce Sian depending on the AV comparison. I can give you numbers from my AAR on what I faced and how long it took if you are interested. Sian's a nice prize, but it seems to me you have a possibility to pocket a fair number of enemy units if you look beyond just Sian. It's not going anywhere [;)].

[Cribtop]

Sqz,

CF has left the northern forces almost exactly in their starting positions, so there is a big bag to be had indeed. Hope is to take Sian after a long battle with the 24 stack army just SE of the city. With only 8 LCUs in the city itself, the battle for the rough forest hex is the real key. Next step is to drive far enough north to: 1) take or at least cut off access to the Oil at Lanchow and 2) fully cut off the Yenan region armies. Those guys are probably already short of food and it will only get worse. We are even willing to buy out a division or two from Manchuria if needed to press the offensive in North China.

[ny59giants]

Java - I have landed at Merak, Kalidjati, and Semarang in prior games. I find that landing at Kalidjati is your best option, IMO. It has a size 4 AF ready to go. If he doesn't have significant forces at Bandoeng, you can take that base next and divide the country in half. Just remember to cover all the hexsides into Batavia so he cannot retreat out and you have to chase him. I would have Oosthaven in your possession with fighters and bombers there before the invasion takes place.

[Cribtop]

Concur that CF's dispositions allow us to divide his forces provided we do it right. Kalidjati and Semarang are the two I'm considering.

[Miller]

In my game I was planning to land half my AV at Merak and the other half at Semerang, but enemy action forced me to divert and land it all at Merak. This may have been a blessing in disguise as I think it would have taken some time to kick him out of Batavia with only the original Merak assigned troops.

Of course alot depends on how many troops you assign to Java in the first place. I think the equivalent of 3 Divs plus a few ARM units used in persuit mode is enough.

Re Sumatra, 3 brigades is more than enough, one for Palembang, one for Oosthaven and one for Sabang on the northern tip. Any more is overkill (IMO).

[Cribtop]

Thanks, Miller. Extensive recon of Sumatra shows the place utterly unreinforced, so you're probably right. Just having a case of Canoerebel/Nemo Fortress Sumatra flashbacks from their excellent AARs, I guess. [;)]

[Canoerebel]

[:D]

[DivePac88]

Look what you've started Dan, you have us poor JFB's paranoid over Sumatra and Java now!

[Cribtop]

Feb 27, 1942

Paratroops galore, today.

Subs

I-1 misses an xAP near Koggala. Neither side's sub fleets are exactly lighting it up this game. Still, we now have 3 long range I-boats in the Indian Ocean, which seems to be a more target rich environment.

4th Fleet

A DBCL TF departs Jaluit to clean up the Gilberts.

SE Fleet

We drop the 1st Yokosuka SNLF into Horn Island to join the 3rd. The resulting SA misses taking the base by a single point of adjusted AV. However, we knock forts down to 1 with 2:1 odds and destroy an LCU, casualties 57(5) vs 44(0). This place will join the Empire in a day or two.

We load numerous LCUs at Truk. Some will go to Munda, which will host an Air HQ to provide LBA combat power in the southern Solomons. Others are moving to replace small SNLF Companies at Lae and Buna with Naval Guards. The Coys will be used for DBCL work. Cribtop HQ is studying the seizure of the New Hebrides more formally, but this would require MKB unless CF reveals his carriers to be elsewhere. Tomorrow a third convoy will load at Truck to provide small base forces and garrisons for Ponape, Kusaie and Eniewetok. This triangle of bases will someday be a heavily defended backstop to the Marshalls. We need to think about 1944 now that we are nearing the end of Phase I.

14th Army

A garrison unit for Manila loads at Tokyo while the 16th Division begins to move to Aparri for use in Java. We will complete a wholesale movement of excess merchant capacity from Takao to Singapore in anticipation of the invasions of Sumatra and Java and to allow creation of tanker and resource convoys.

Sibuyan invaded.

16th Army

Wetar occupied by rowboat.

2nd Raiding Regt drops on Denpasar and captures the base easily with high odds, forcing a small Dutch base force to surrender. Transports and an FT TF will soon deliver an Air HQ to put Java firmly under the thumb of the IJNAF.

25th Army

We restructure our air support units in Malaya to provide for basing of air groups at Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Alor Star in order to project power over Sumatra. The ground troops have their prep targets re-set. Several DMS are en route to clear mines in the harbor. MKB and a bunch of merchies await new operations at Cam Ranh Bay.

15th Army

A big base force and an Oscar Sentai arrive in Rangoon. We are moving numerous base forces to this AO to staff bases in mid-Burma in preparation for the inevitable air battles. Ground troops march on Meiktila from two directions. The enemy forces appear to intend to slowly withdraw ahead of us without making a stand in the basin. Rather skillfully done by CF, we must admit. We will press hard and try to catch a few LCUs, but it appears that there will be no battle short of Myitkyina, if not India. We also hope to engage AVG, currently based at Mandalay, but currently have no bases in range with AV support other than Chiang Mai.

China

Round the clock bombing of the Sian outskirts stack continues and will only intensify as our army approaches. An advance brigade has linked up with the IJA forces already in the hex to capture the SE hex side and increase the flow of supplies by opening the good road to Nanyang.

BA Pakhoi shows raw AS 170 vs 210. We don't have enough to take it on the cheap and will need to reinforce, but that shouldn't be hard.

DA Pucheng now up to 41:1, casualties 767(38) vs 365(0).

A Chinese LCU shows a movement arrow towards Paotow in the far north. We will rail in a brigade to stabilize this front but don't want to reinforce much as the enemy must be low on supplies and combat power here.

Other

After removing Prince of Wales from the sunk list a few days ago, Cribtop Intel now puts her back in Davy Jones' locker. Interestingly, she shows up as sunk near Colombo rather than Great Nicobar, which would be consistent with trying to cross the Bay of Bengal in a damaged condition and succumbing near Ceylon. Who knows the truth, but she must at least be hurt bad.

[Cribtop]

Feb 28, 1942

Without question the quietest turn of the war to date. Only a few things to report as we consolidate at Singapore and Kendari for future advances.

14th Army

Dumanquilas invaded. This base needs to fall first so that the Cotobato garrison will surrender rather than retreat. Sibuyan falls.

China

DA Pucheng comes in at 97:1 odds. The HQ and base force in the hex surrender, but the corps hangs on. Casualties 2281(243) vs 75(0). Enemy adjusted AV is down to 9 so surrender of the last LCU is imminent.

Other

The Allies are coming clean about their battleships this week. West Virginia suddenly joins the sunk list today.

Economy

A Tracker question. I am working to make sure aircraft and engine production is in synch. For several months the Tracker planning function looked good as I was producing (or expanding to produce) a number of engines equal to the largest monthly need shown over the next year. To get that number I was adding up the planning column number plus the number in parenthesis. What exactly does the number in parentheses mean? I ask because suddenly the need totals are higher for several months that previously looked covered. I'll post a screenshot later tonight.