Sleepless on Samoa, the Sequel (wneumann vs Pillager) Allies only

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/20/42

6/42 Ship Upgrades: Upgrades for nearly all US ships not involved in an active operation have already completed or now in progress – all upgrades on these ships should be completed by early 7/42. A number of additional ships eligible for 6/42 upgrades are in transport convoys now returning from the Pacific theatres to the mainland US – these ships will enter upgrade as quickly as possible when they reach the US West Coast.

Upgrades are also being done in the Eastern US for transport ships returning from off-map convoys to Australia - the first four Eastern US to Australia convoys (EX-1 through EX-4) already back in the Eastern US, two others (EX-5 & EX-6) now due to arrive in the Eastern US from Capetown. The Eastern US shipyard currently has 39 transport ships of various types undergoing 6/42 upgrades.

6/42 upgrades on CV Saratoga and Lexington are scheduled to complete in 11 days (7/01 game turn), upgrades on these carriers taking approximately one month. Three other US fleet carriers (Enterprise, Yorktown, Hornet) are now on the US West Coast and scheduled to begin 7/42 ship upgrades immediately on 7/01/42. My estimate is that the US Fleet Carrier force will not be available at full strength until sometime in 8/42.

As far as these upgrades are concerned, the more radar and flak guns I can get onto a ship, the better. While the flak guns mounted aboard one upgraded xAK are not much, the flak value of a 20 or 30 or 50-ship transport convoy might prove to be a little more significant (even if not necessarily decisive).

Any ship upgrade that enhances ASW value of an escort is also good.


Hawaii: One unidentified Jap submarine spotted by a PBY Catalina ASW air patrol off (SW of) Lihue.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/19 reporting intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Mili (Marshall Islands SE of Kwajalain). Detected status of Mili shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: AP Barnett repairing nicely at Tahiti, removing mainly float damage. It appears the ship will gradually repair itself in Tahiti to where it should easily be capable of reaching the mainland US (its original destination) on whatever damage that cannot be repaired in Tahiti.

Supply transport ships that were previously unloading at Suva that had moved due to precautions from the 6/16 Japanese TF sighting are returning to Suva to complete

Coastwatchers report 8 Japanese ships in Rabaul. Other coastwatcher reports indicate small numbers or individual Japanese ships at Lunga, Shortlands, Koumac and Noumea.


Colombo: Damage to airfield and port facilities from the KB carrier air strike is now fully repaired. At this time, there are no ships based in Colombo (as all ships in Colombo when the KB attacked were sunk and no replacements brought in), though there’s a full complement of LCU and some aircraft in Colombo. Plans are to have ships based in Colombo again, though in the short term this will be limited to a number a small ASW escorts (for transports entering or leaving Colombo) and possibly other ships that may be needed in Colombo to support sea operations from there.

At least for the short term, Colombo will be treated as a front-line base in terms of naval operations anyway – only those ships actively involved in sea operations from Colombo and any ships needed to provide continuous direct support will be “permanently” located at the Colombo naval base. All other ships that may be used in or operate from Colombo will be kept at nearby bases and brought into and out of Colombo on an as-needed basis.


Eastern Fleet: As I had seen nothing better to do with them, surface combat and carrier units of the Royal Navy had been kept in Capetown – mainly due to Colombo not being considered a completely secure location as a primary base (this amply demonstrated by the 6/16 KB carrier raid) and that no other on-map base was suitable as a primary base.

Even if an effective Allied naval response to the KB’s raid on Colombo could have been mounted, it was not going to happen with the Royal Navy sitting in Capetown. What this clearly calls for is getting the Royal Navy based on-map, preferably in a location remote enough to be invisible or at least less than obvious to Japanese eyes yet close enough for a British naval force to be brought forward in a reasonable amount of time. In this scenario, Colombo would be used as a replenishment and staging point with the “main garage" for the Royal Navy’s ships somewhere to the rear. The above considerations are primarily short to intermediate-term and are additional to requirements for later employment of the Royal Navy in Allied offensive operations.

To accomplish this, construction of base facilities at Addu, Diego Garcia and Socotra will be accelerated. These locations when sufficiently expanded would have large enough ports to for ships to anchor plus an airfield suitable to support CAP, naval search and ASW air missions. These bases would not be intended as primary repair facilities, this function still being handled by shipyards at Colombo, Bombay, Capetown and Aden.

There’s a current shortage of full (or near full) strength British engineer LCU’s in India available for this purpose, though this shortage will prove to be a temporary one. Thanks to having successfully evacuated eight small RAF Base Force units from Burma – these formations were greatly understrength when they reached India but do contain engineering elements at full TOE strength and will be quite useful in this project once they are re-built with replacement elements (this action now underway). The RAF Base Force units contain other elements (aviation support, flak, etc) useful in maintaining naval bases on Addu, Diego Garcia and Socotra.

My original plans for the RAF Base Force LCU had been to re-build them over the long term, then bring them into use at airbases in mainland India as the strength of Allied air forces increase to where they will be useful or needed. This plan has not changed for the most part beside the fact the RAF Base Force units will be re-built to full TOE strength sooner rather than later.


China: Jap ground forces resume bombardment attacks near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2390 troops, 192 guns, 133 vehicles, Assault Value = 870
Defending force 18432 troops, 222 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 530

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

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

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
2nd RF Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
10th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Group Army
35th Group Army

[Alfred]

Don't forget that you have another shipyard in India, Surat. Most Japanese players will probably overlook reconning it. You could certainly base light covering forces there and with the backup of a shipyard and multiple nearby airfields, they would be better supported and positioned to react to enemy sorties into the Arabian Sea.

Alfred

[wneumann]

Don't forget that you have another shipyard in India, Surat. Most Japanese players will probably overlook reconning it. You could certainly base light covering forces there and with the backup of a shipyard and multiple nearby airfields, they would be better supported and positioned to react to enemy sorties into the Arabian Sea.

Appreciate your info. I even overlooked Surat, will have to take a look at it. I'm sure it will fit into the plan somehow.

My primary goal in developing on-map Indian Ocean naval bases at Addu, Diego Garcia and Socotra is building anchorages where ships in the British fleet can remain in port when not in active operations. Port sizes at each of these locations can be built up to at least the minimum useable port size = 3 that would allow ships to be kept at anchor. The main intended purpose of the three bases is to provide "parking garages" for British naval units with a modest amount of replenishment (mainly refuelling) and docking capability. Other naval support capability could be added to one or more of these bases as allowed by the base (port) size, availability of LCU's and other resources, operational needs, and the overall situation.

Plans are to first get engineers onto Addu, Diego Garcia and Socotra as soon as possible and begin port construction. Port sizes at each location will be built to the maximum possible, then airfield construction. LCU's to be stationed in these bases would include Base Force unit(s) and naval HQ in at least one of the three locations - this depending on LCU's available and suitable for employment at the base(s).

Addu, Diego Garcia and/or Socotra would not be needed to provide more than a minimal level of support to British naval forces "parked" there - larger bases and shipyards in Ceylon, mainland India and off-map (Capetown, Aden) exist as ports for full replenishment of ships, repairs, upgrades, staging points for operations, etc.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/21/42

Hawaii: Unidentified Jap submarine remains stationary SW of Lihue, spotted by PBY Catalina ASW air patrol.


South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing underway at Efate. AAR follows.

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Amphibious Assault at Efate

TF 143 troops unloading over beach at Efate, 120,154

Japanese ground losses:
290 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 9 (0 destroyed, 9 disabled)

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No Japanese ships reported in Rabaul. Other coastwatcher reports indicate small numbers of Jap ships at Luganville and Noumea.


China: Jap ground forces continue bombardment attack near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2395 troops, 192 guns, 132 vehicles, Assault Value = 876
Defending force 18506 troops, 221 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 536

Allied ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
4th War Area
10th Group Army
35th Group Army

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/22/42

Hawaii: Four unidentified Jap submarines detected near Hawaii – three NE of Pearl Harbor, one to the SW.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/21 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is. Detected status of Baker Is shows unidentified Jap aircraft based there, otherwise no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing ops continue at Efate.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/21 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Madang
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: TK Oita Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 14, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga , Speed 1, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands


Australia: Unidentified Jap submarine detected due W of Perth, Jap floatplane reported flying over Perth base hex (6/21 Operations report). Allied surface and air ASW forces in Perth are activated. Pillager is no doubt looking for Allied transport shipping entering or leaving Perth, no Allied shipping currently at sea in the Perth area.


Philippines: Several recent Sigint report entries indicate Pillager is moving Jap LCU’s previously engaged on Bataan into Manila, probably for re-building and/or transfer out of Luzon to other area. Jap units reported in Manila include HQ 14th Army, 48 Infantry Division, 10 RF Gun Bn and 1 & 3 Independent Engineer Rgts.

Most bases on Mindanao and islands in the Central Philippines remain in Allied control, current situation map follows. One Philippine AF recon squadron (10 Stearman 75M planes) still operates from Cebu and is providing occasional reports on Japanese movements.



Detected status of Davao is showing 74 Jap aircraft (40 fighters) plus Japanese TF(s) in harbor. An unidentified Jap LCU (possibly 5th Infantry Division) detected in Dadjangas base hex in southern Mindanao.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/22/42 (continued)

Indian Ocean: 111 RN Base Force plus 4K supply arrived at Socotra, other transports with additional supply due shortly. Socotra currently has port size = 2, airfield size = 3. Socotra appears likely to be the first and quickest of the Royal Navy’s on-map “parking garages” to come on-line.

While Addu has already been built to a useable anchorage (current port size = 3), its proximity to Colombo does place it at the disadvantage of being easily visible to Japanese naval forces moving near Colombo. Addu remains useful as a replenishment and staging point though not as a secure on-map home base for British naval forces.

A small British engineer LCU has been slowly expanding port facilities on Diego Garcia, this likely to be the next location for sending additional engineers to speed up port construction. Placement of British naval forces at Diego Garcia allows the quickest access to sea areas in the eastern Indian Ocean between Colombo and Perth. Expanded port facilities on Diego Garcia will have a substantial role in enabling British naval operations in eastern sea areas of the Indian Ocean.

While this is all “small change” in the greater scheme of things, these preparations are among the small things that can be done now in anticipation of bigger things later on.


China: Jap ground forces launch assault near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 27644 troops, 420 guns, 243 vehicles, Assault Value = 879
Defending force 18481 troops, 221 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 532
Japanese adjusted assault: 473
Allied adjusted defense: 1786
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
1659 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 119 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Vehicles lost 33 (2 destroyed, 31 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
10th Group Army
4th War Area
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

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The strategic situation in northwest China is getting interesting, though not in way that’s to my liking. Pillager is launching a ground advance to the NW from Sian, this advance appearing to have two objectives:

(1) Cutting off ground communications between Chungking and bases in far western China. This would be accomplished with Japanese capture of Kungchang and the dot hex base at Tienshui.

(2) Opening a path for a Japanese advance on Chengtu and Chungking from the N and NW.

What is appearing to be my best and only solution is withdrawing Chinese forces into the mountain hex position as shown in the situation map below. While splitting Allied-controlled areas in two (“Fortress Chungking” and the far-western areas) is not a desirable option, giving Pillager an open road to Chungking from the north is an even less desirable one.

Movement orders to the main Chinese ground force along the rail line from Sian to Tienshui had been issued two game turns ago, this stack of LCU’s changing its movement from NW (along the rail line) to W (south of the rail line), these units are expected to reach the forest road hex ahead of the Japanese. Orders were issued this game turn for Chinese LCU’s in Tienshui dot hex base to move SE towards Chungking. These two stacks of Chinese LCU’s will form the northern defensive line of Chungking

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/23/42

Japanese Home Islands: US sub reports contact with small Japanese transport convoy. AAR follows.

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Sub attack near Torishima at 109,66 (NW of Torishima)

Japanese Ships (moving on E heading)
xAK Somedono Maru
xAK Oridono Maru
xAK Noto Maru
PB Teibo Maru #2
PB Kaika Maru

Allied Ships
SS Tarpon

SS Tarpon launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Somedono Maru (one hit, dud)
PB Teibo Maru #2 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Kaika Maru fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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Hawaii: Jap submarines remain near Hawaii. These subs are being picked up by PBY Catalina air patrols but so far the subs are evading surface ASW TF’s sent out to attack them.


South Pacific: Japanese amphibious landing ops continue at Efate.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/22 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Port Moresby
Coastwatcher Report: AR Canberra Maru reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 113,156 near Koumac , Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,138 near Lunga , Speed 2, Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Tulagi
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea


Australia: Unidentified Jap submarine remains W of Perth, spotted by air patrol.


Philippines: Japanese capture Dadjangas (southern Mindanao). AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Dadjangas (78,93)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 13343 troops, 124 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 452
Defending force 30 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese adjusted assault: 208
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 208 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Dadjangas !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: leaders(+), leaders(-)

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

Assaulting units:
5th Division

Defending units:
1st /101st PA Battalion (eliminated)

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China: Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2290 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 775
Defending force 18374 troops, 220 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 525

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

Allied ground losses:
20 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
5th RF Gun Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
31st Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
16th Group Army
4th War Area
9th Group Army
10th Group Army
35th Group Army

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/24/42

Hawaii: US surface ASW TF locates and attacks Jap sub in a night action. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Pearl Harbor at 182,105 (NE of Oahu)

Japanese Ships
SS I-3, hits 3 (minor damage if any)

Allied Ships
DD Conyngham
APD Manley
APD Gregory

SS I-3 is located by DD Conyngham
DD Conyngham fails to find sub and abandons search
APD Gregory attacking submerged sub ....
Escort abandons search for sub

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Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 6/23 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Baker Is and Roi-Namur. Detected statuses of both locations show no visible Japanese forces or activity.


South Pacific: Japanese capture Efate. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at Efate (120,154)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1143 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 37
Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 17
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Efate !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
86th Naval Guard Unit (entered game as reinforcement, not previously reported in known Japanese OOB)

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Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/23 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lunga
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Milne Bay
Coastwatcher Report: 15 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Kavieng
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Lae
Coastwatcher Report: 12 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 7 , Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 120,154 near Efate, Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 3 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul, Speed 14 , Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 114,136 near Thousand Ships Bay, Speed 13 , Moving Northwest


Sigint entry for 6/23 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Luganville. Detected status of Luganville shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.

One unidentified Jap submarine detected near northern point of New Zealand (NW of Auckland), moving on NW heading. This sighting is the first report of any Jap submarine activity near Auckland. Surface ASW escorts have been routinely provided to all Allied transport ships and convoys entering and leaving Auckland.


Philippines: One or more Japanese TF(s) plus undetermined ship(s) at anchor detected in Manila. Possible these TF(s) are transports loading Jap LCU(s) that were previously in Bataan for transfer to other theatres.


China: Continued bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. Latest AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2301 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 795
Defending force 18410 troops, 218 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

Allied ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
64th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
4th War Area
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
10th Group Army
35th Group Army

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[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: wneumann

...The strategic situation in northwest China is getting interesting, though not in way that’s to my liking. Pillager is launching a ground advance to the NW from Sian, this advance appearing to have two objectives:

(1) Cutting off ground communications between Chungking and bases in far western China. This would be accomplished with Japanese capture of Kungchang and the dot hex base at Tienshui.

(2) Opening a path for a Japanese advance on Chengtu and Chungking from the N and NW.

What is appearing to be my best and only solution is withdrawing Chinese forces into the mountain hex position as shown in the situation map below. While splitting Allied-controlled areas in two (“Fortress Chungking” and the far-western areas) is not a desirable option, giving Pillager an open road to Chungking from the north is an even less desirable one.

Movement orders to the main Chinese ground force along the rail line from Sian to Tienshui had been issued two game turns ago, this stack of LCU’s changing its movement from NW (along the rail line) to W (south of the rail line), these units are expected to reach the forest road hex ahead of the Japanese. Orders were issued this game turn for Chinese LCU’s in Tienshui dot hex base to move SE towards Chungking. These two stacks of Chinese LCU’s will form the northern defensive line of Chungking

It is possible the retreat order given to the units at the dot base Tienshui may be premature.

What I think is definite is that faced with the situation you describe, there is absolutely no point in maintaining any units at Yenen. Yenen is already under supplied, and the base itself is not actually on the enemy LOC so the enemy can totally disregard investing the base. Those troops (and any others you may have to the east of Yenen) should conduct a general retreat back to your mountain defence, or perhaps to Tienshui (hence why the Tienshui retreat order may be premature).

Alfred

[wneumann]

Alfred,

I re-examined the situation at Tienshui dot base shortly after my original post (and prior to your reply) and quickly cancelled the move orders on the Chinese LCU's defending Tienshui. Two factors I saw behind this...

(1) There's a small river line in front of Tienshui and the adjacent hex (81,39) into which I'm withdrawing the main body of the Chinese ground forces that had been retreating to the NW from Sian. This line does have some value in defending against a Japanese move from the NW. While Pillager can easily outflank this line from the E using the left flank of Japanese LCU's advancing from Sian, the river line is worth holding at least for the immediate term. Pillager's Japanese left flank is relatively weak compared to the Chinese main force which is already in hex 81,39 since my original post.

(2) I also found two Chinese base force LCU's in Kungchang (unnamed base between Tienshui and Lanchow) and decided these two units have more value inside "Fortress Chungking" than having them pushed westward into the mountains. The two base force LCU's now have movement orders to withdraw through Tienshui dot base into the Chungking area. A third Chinese LCU (17 Chinese Corps) is remaining in Kungchang for a delaying action - 17 Chinese Corps not expected to be a match for the three Japanese LCU's that entered the hex and expected to attack Kungchang on the 6/26 game turn. Depending on the direction 17 Chinese Corps retreats after its ejection from Kungchang (either towards Tienshui or Lanchow), this LCU may also be withdrawing via Tienshui and into the Chungking area.


Once the Chinese LCU's from Kungchang reach Tienshui and Pillager launches an attack against the Chinese in hex 81,39 - a withdrawal from Tienshui will then become a consideration (if not a necessity).

As far as the Chinese air force is concerned, as much of that as possible is being concentrated inside "Fortress Chungking". Some Chinese squadrons with planes that have range to reach a friendly base inside the Chungking area have already done so. I had one Chinese fighter squadron (I-16's) that did not have range to do this, the squadron was withdrawn - hopefully to re-enter the game as a reinforcement at Chungking.

There are nine Chinese squadrons (5 fighter, 4 bomber) at Hami in the far west - the bomber squadrons can still fly into the Chungking area via Lanchow, the fighter squadrons can only reach Chungking if they are withdrawn and re-enter as reinforcements at Chungking (their planes do not have the range to fly there).

The one Chinese LCU in Yenan (a depleted Red Chinese division) remains there to garrison the base to avoid a VP penalty (Yenan has a required garrison of 20 assault strength). I'd have no objection if Pillager took this requirement off my hands, though I think he's allowing Yenan to remain in Chinese control in order to pin down whatever I have to leave in Yenan in order to avoid the VP penalty. One depleted Red division at 25% TOE strength is not breaking my bank.

A current situation map (6/25) of the area follows. Appreciate your response.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/25/42

Hawaii: No detected Japanese sub activity this game turn. US air and surface ASW patrols near Oahu continue.


Central Pacific: Sigint entries for 6/24 report intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Majuro and Maleolap. Detected statuses of both locations show no visible Japanese forces or activity.

A group of five US fleet subs lays minefield in Truk, two of the subs reported damaged from hitting Japanese mines in Truk (at least we now know there are Japanese mines there, too). AAR follows.

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TF 264 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108)

Allied Ships
SS Grenadier, Mine hits 1, on fire (system damage 17, float 47, engine 1, no fire)
SS Grayback, Mine hits 1, on fire (system damage 22, float 29, engine 2, no fire)

Note: Both damaged subs are expected to reach Pearl Harbor with at least 1/2 movement speed.

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Detected status of Japanese base in Truk – port size 7(4), airfield size 5(2), 33 aircraft, 73 ships in port, no LCU’s visible. Japanese LCU’s known to be in Truk from other reports include two fleet HQ’s (Southeast Area & 4th Fleets), Truk Naval Fort (CD), 4 Base Force (IJN) plus a number of small combat units (85 Naval Gd, 2 Independent SNLF Co, 1/66 & 2/66 Naval Gd). Most of the LCU listed above started the game in Truk and since been reported as still located there.


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/24 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 12 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Belep Islands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Koumac
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Finschhafen
Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,156 near Koumac , Speed unknown

Unidentified Jap submarine remains stationary off the northern point of New Zealand (NW of Auckland), still reported moving on NW heading. Allied surface ASW TF has formed at Auckland and is being dispatched to the Jap sub’s location.


Philippines: Sigint entries for 6/24 report heavy volume of intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Manila, also Jap 19th Infantry Division is located in Manila. 19 Division was previously in action at Bataan. Detected status of Manila shows no visible Jap forces or activity. These Sigint reports continue to confirm Pillager is in the process of redeploying Japanese LCU’s previously engaged in Bataan from Luzon to other theatres.


Malacca Straits: Dutch submarine O-21 attacks small Jap transport TF, later attacked by Ki-48 air patrol and damaged. O-21 received light damage (system damage 8, float 6) and returning to base for repair and replenishment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Phuket at 48,70 (SE of Phuket)

Japanese Ships
TK Kuremente Maru
DD Hakaze

Allied Ships
SS O21

SS O21 launches 2 torpedoes at TK Kuremente Maru (one hit, dud)
DD Hakaze fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces continues near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2301 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 814
Defending force 18384 troops, 217 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 524

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (3 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
31st Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
10th Group Army
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Alfred]

Still think you should totally retreat from Yenan. In terms of meaningful adverse consequences for you, leaving it ungarrisoned will only cost you a single VP per day. The other usual adverse consequences will not cause you any difficulties.

To put that cost into some context, divide your Yenan garrison's devices by 12. That will give you the VPs which your opponent will gain by destroying the Yenan garrison. Don't turn Yenan into a PTO equivalent of the Courland Pocket, particularly when you opponent need not dispatch any forces to maintain a standing watch.

Alfred

[wneumann]

Still think you should totally retreat from Yenan. In terms of meaningful adverse consequences for you, leaving it ungarrisoned will only cost you a single VP per day. The other usual adverse consequences will not cause you any difficulties.

To put that cost into some context, divide your Yenan garrison's devices by 12. That will give you the VPs which your opponent will gain by destroying the Yenan garrison. Don't turn Yenan into a PTO equivalent of the Courland Pocket, particularly when you opponent need not dispatch any forces to maintain a standing watch.

Alfred,

I do agree with your overall view on Yenan in the context of not keeping it garrisoned with a larger force than the lone Red Chinese division that I left behind in Yenan after dispatching the other Chinese LCU's from Yenan towards Sian (this done about 2 months ago). The Chinese LCU's departing Yenan have since joined the main Chinese ground force at Sian that pulled back into the northern perimeter of "Fortress Chungking".

The one Red Chinese division left in Yenan contains a total of 127 squads (1/5 of them disrupted). Plllager would gain 10-11 VP by completely destroying this Chinese LCU - more likely that he would merely push it out of Yenan in an attack to capture Yenan and surviving elements of the Chinese division then having a long cross-country march to reach Lanchow and beyond.

Given that I largely evacuated Yenan two months (approx 60 game turns) ago, leaving this one Chinese division behind has yielded a "gain" of approx 60 VP (VP that would otherwise already be lost had I removed everything) compared to the 10-11 VP Pillager would gain by a complete elimination of the division in an attack to capture Yenan (this assuming the division is completely lost rather than forced to retreat to an open hex outside of Yenan). Based on this, leaving the one division in Yenan has (to date) provided a 6X "return on investment". Given that Pillager appears to be in no great hurry to capture Yenan, the VP value of leaving the one Chinese division there continues to increase beyond what its value has been so far.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/26/42

Hawaii: PBY Catalina air patrol attacks and hits Jap submarine I-8 off (SW of) Lihue.


Central Pacific: Jap minesweeping operations reported at Truk. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 383 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108)

Japanese Ships
AMc Seki Maru #3
AMc Fumi Maru #2

17 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detected status of Japanese base in Truk – 65 ships in port, no LCU’s or aircraft visible.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/25 reports Jap 144 Infantry Rgt is preparing for attack on Nadi. This report is the first indication Pillager is intending a Japanese move against Fiji. Pillager and 144 Regiment will likely find a reception in Nadi considerably greater than what greeted him at Noumea. Current known location of 144 Infantry Rgt is Arorae (Gilbert Islands). From this Sigint report, it's a possible conclusion that Pillager is (at this time) unaware of the Allied build-up on Fiji and Samoa, let alone the extent of the build-up.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/25 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Rabaul is reported empty
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Gasmata
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Efate
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Hoorn Islands
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 120,154 near Efate, Speed unknown


Australia: Unidentified Jap submarine spotted off Perth by Australian air patrol.


Philippines: A Sigint report entry for 6/25 indicates elements of Japanese 14th Infantry Division are loading aboard ship(s) at Manila for a possible amphibious landing at Sibuyan in the central Philippines.


Burma: Japanese air raids on Akyab. Jap planes involved in the raids appear to be coming from Rangoon. AAR’s follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 3rd Burma Rifles Battalion, at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 14

No Japanese losses

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x A6M2 Zero sweeping at 15000 feet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on 3rd Burma Rifles Battalion, at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 3,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 9

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

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

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: Japanese capture Kungchang in northern China, cutting off communication between Chungking and the western mountain areas of China. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at Kungchang (81,36)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 18403 troops, 179 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 662
Defending force 1606 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74
Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0
Japanese adjusted assault: 570
Allied adjusted defense: 1
Japanese assault odds: 570 to 1 (fort level 0)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kungchang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Allied ground losses:
823 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
17th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
1st Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
17th Chinese Corps

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2333 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 829
Defending force 18388 troops, 214 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 526

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

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

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
64th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
4th War Area
9th Group Army
10th Group Army
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[johnjohn]

February 21, 1943 update. Marines move up and take Munda, Russell Islands, and other small bases north of Tulagi. Halsey sending FMF HQ to Munda from Lunga. Meanwhile, MacA finally joins the action with two division sweep of the enemy at Port Moresby. 120 Engineers bringing AB and Port back on line. Carrier engagements have confirmed the sinking Hiyo and 3 CVLs. Haruna also confirmed sunk. Halsey (SoPac) preparing to take Shortlands. Mac A preparing to retake Milne Bay and several of the Islands near there. Rossel and Woodlark are active enemy bases. They will fall last.

New Construction is coming on line fast. Still, shipping is a major headache. There are never enough ships.

The tide has turned. Allies are now on the offensive. CenPac is preparing the invasion of Tarawa and Makin, then the Marshall Islands. Rabaul will be tested soon, but it is beginning to look all those men then Captain Good of New Orleans set to davey jones locker (roughly 10,000 sailors and 50,000 troops) stalled the Japanese build up in NG and the Solomons. Recon and Intel are not finding much in place. The Canal was a nut, but in reality, the Canal, Tulagi, Munda, and PM ended up being pushovers. Corsairs are now flying over Tulagi and looking to move up to Munda. Not much happening since SHortlands AB is out of action and nearest enemy base operational is Rabaul. My pilots are restless. They have no planes to shoot down.

Have sent just about every available DC-3 and varieties to India China. Enemy not happy that supplies are getting through. Another 6 squadrons come on line in the next two weeks. This is allowing me to hold Inchang, since I am able to airdrop supplies in. Enemy is losing 5,000 men monthly in China to my 500, a ratio that I am pleased to sustain. In some months they lose 10 to 15 thousand troops. That is alot of loses. Meanwhile we hold in every place that we could find beneficial terrain. Wenchow and Inchang are now serious killing fields.

Nothing happening in Aussie or India. Prince of Wales et al patrolling off Chittagong. Sara and Ent off Shortlands, Hornet and Wasp enroute to Noumea to join Sara and Ent, Yorktown patrolling off Midway which intel suggests is next on the enemy agenda.

So far so good. Withdrawals happening on schedule, supplies and fuel getting to forward supply bases (Noumea and Brisbane) in West, Perth and Colombo in the East. Divisions forming and becoming available in increasing numbers. Most of the British Fleet is parked. PoW et all will be retiring to Capetown soon to join with Victorious.

Having fun, Johnjohn.

[wneumann]

Welcome back johnjohn,

Hopefully your actions are a prediction of the Allied future in this game, though I'm expecting my road to be against considerably heavier resistance.

[wneumann]

The Big Picture #10 – The World as we know it six months (or so) after 12/08/41

Overview: In this post and others that follow it in this series, a review of the points covered in my initial estimates of the overall early-war situation vs what actually occurred in the course of events.


This game’s version of “alternate history” in review”:

The Japanese conquest of Malaya in AE pretty much went on its predicted schedule, though Pillager’s capture of Singapore on 1/24 (in AE) was quicker than occurred in our previous CHS match (2/01). Pillager appeared to have placed considerably greater emphasis on a Japanese conquest of Malaya in AE in our previous match in CHS, and did so to the point of dispatching numerous Japanese LCU’s into Malaya that the AE scenario we’re playing (Scenario #6) initially allocated to other theatres and operations – particularly Jap LCU’s allocated in AE Scenario #6 for invasion of the Philippines. At the end of the day… the 8 days Pillager gained at Singapore was more than lost in delays that occurred in other theatres (DEI and Philippines).

My overall strategy in Burma for AE turned out to be much the same as what happened in CHS, this being a token resistance at Rangoon and in southern Burma with a delaying action in interior areas of central and northern Burma.

Pillager’s Japanese advance into southern Burma was somewhat faster in AE (Moulmein captured 1/11, Rangoon by direct assault on 1/25) compared to CHS (Moulmein captured 1/15, Rangoon on 2/24 after being bypassed in mid-Feb). Factoring in the rest of Burma… Pillager’s timetable was also somewhat faster - Myitkyina captured 4/29 in AE rather than considerably later in CHS. So far, the end result for Burma is not significantly different between AE and CHS.
The biggest Japanese cost in AE from Pillager’s emphasis on Malaya and Singapore occurred in the Philippines – notably resulting in the fall of Bataan 2 1/2 months later on AE (on 6/09) compared to our CHS match (3/24). Added to this in AE is that virtually all islands in the central Philippines plus parts of Mindanao remain in US control at the current time (6/25/42), still a considerable bit of mop-up activity remaining there.

Evacuation of US and Philippine merchant and naval ships from the Philippines was considerably less of an Allied success in AE compared to CHS. While US and Philippine ships departed the Philippines in CHS unopposed and virtually without loss, this process was a relative disaster in AE – the difference being a combination of a rather aggressive presence by Japanese surface naval units and parts of the Baby KB in the central Philippines/northern DEI helped by some difficulties I was having in ship movement at that point in the game. In our AE game, Pillager took out the US cruisers Houston and Boise plus a considerable number of transport and auxiliary ships.

For the most part, the DEI held out about as long in AE as in our previous CHS match. The Japanese capture of major bases on Borneo and Java occurred approximately at the same time in both games (i.e. Soerabaja captured on 3/14 in AE, 3/11 in CHS). Pillager’s Japanese conquest of the DEI in AE was somewhat more methodical, especially regarding the capture of Palembang. The fall of Palembang was one month later in AE (4/16 vs 3/20 in CHS) – this mainly due to Pillager (in AE) securing all the possible air bases surrounding Palembang before capturing Palembang itself. It possible the Japanese delay in capturing Palembang in AE may have been the result of an earlier Allied action that followed the Japanese capture of Tarakan and Balikpapan – heavy damage to captured oil facilities in these two bases from Dutch 2E bombers and US B-17’s employed on bombing strikes in AE after they fell into Japanese control. The bombing strikes turned out to be rather effective and at a rather low cost.

There are still Allied controlled bases in the eastern DEI as of 6/25/42 in AE, this was also true in our CHS game (no difference).

In the Pacific theatres, Pillager has made (to date) considerably less progress in AE compared to our last time around in CHS, particularly with regard to establishing the Japanese outer perimeter line in the South Pacific that he had in CHS (Noumea – Suva - Pago Pago – Canton Is). While Pillager’s Japanese advance in AE through Rabaul, New Guinea (Port Moresby), the Solomons and Gilbert Islands showed little difference with the pace he accomplished in CHS, Japanese advances farther southward in the Pacific have either been considerably delayed or not occurred at all. From my (Allied) perspective, it’s hard to assess the exact cause or causes Pillager’s delays in the South Pacific, my best theory being either or both the following. I have done very little if anything from the Allied side to cause the delays.

(1) Differences between the AE and WitP internal game mechanics “putting the brakes” on initial Japanese advances in the Pacific theatres.

(2) Japanese logisitical problems. Shortages of troops, suppply, fuel and/or the transport to move them.

What I thought particularly noteworthy was that Wake Is held off two Japanese attacks before it fell in Jan 42. I’d be quite curious to hear Pillager’s story of Wake Is after this game is over.

Whatever the cause(s)… Pillager’s Japanese delays in the South Pacific (in AE) have allowed the opportunity to create Allied defensive positions farther forward (to include Suva and Samoa) and do this much more quickly and (in addition) create supporting rear-area bases behind these forward positions. Things are far from over in the South Pacific theatre but this is the status quo for now. In AE, US and Allied forces in the South Pacific theatre by mid-1942 have passed the strength of forces that reached the South Pacific in CHS at the end of 1943.

No Japanese invasion of Australia… at least not yet. Pillager was landing in NW Australia by 4/42 in CHS. With 3-4 uncommitted Japanese divisions at-large following the fall of Bataan plus transfers from the Kwantung Army, a Japanese invasion of Australia is far from out of the question. It does not appear likely an Allied defense of NW Australia in AE would be any more successful than CHS. If Pillager does launch a Japanese invasion of NW Australia this time around in AE, one deterrent to a Japanese advance southward from Darwin is a potential repeat of “Stalingrad in the Outback” that occurred at Daly Waters in our last CHS match. Had that action gone to its logical conclusion, it would have ended with destruction of nearly the entire Japanese army in NW Australia (10+ LCU’s including 2nd and 5th Divisions). Then there’s what already arrived in Australia from the US (for SW Pacific theatre) aboard the “EX” convoys via Capetown with more on the way.

One theatre where Pillager has been moving ahead of schedule is in China, to the point where it could become of some concern if the Japanese rate of progress continues.


“Sir Robin” Strategy:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – In general, “Sir Robin” appears to continue applying for much of the Allied opening strategy this time around, though maybe or maybe not to the extent it was in our first match.

One thing I intend to look for in this match through the rest of 1941 and at least early 1942 are opportunities for quick, local offensive actions where significant worthwhile results can be obtained and where they can be done at a somewhat low or moderate risk to Allied forces. Hard to say if, when, or where these opportunities might occur but we’ll have to see. Last time I got too caught up in "getting out of Dodge".

June 1942 actual – “Sir Robin” strategy did for the most part apply as predicted in 12/41. As expected, my opportunities for Allied counterattacks in any form were very limited.

Sending Dutch and US bombers to launch bombing attacks on Japanese-held oil facilities in Tarakan and Balikpapan proved to be somewhat valuable. The attacks on Tarakan resulted in a complete demolition of oil facilities there, with a lesser level of damage in Balikpapan mainly due to the lack of operational bombers remaining after the strikes on Tarakan. It turned out to be the best possible action that could have been done with the Dutch 2E bombers before their inevitable elimination with the fall of the DEI. The small number of US B-17’s withdrawn from the Philippines added to these attacks with considerable effect.

The bombing attacks on Tarakan and Balikpapan possibly had an effect on Pillager’s Japanese strategy for the capture of Palembang and likely prolonged the time it remained in Allied control before its fall. It appears the results at Tarakan and Balikpapan could have led to Pillager’s moves to capture all the surrounding airbases within range of Palembang before moving to capture Palembang itself.

Another aspect of the "Sir Robin" strategy that can be employed in AE is the concentration of supply points into central locations by increasing the required supply point value for the base at the central location to its maximum, the central locations in question being the main Allied defensive strongpoints (i.e. Bataan on Luzon, Soerabaja on Java, Palembang on eastern Sumatra). This tactic was employed mainly in the DEI and Luzon and evolved into a de-facto "scorched earth" strategy where supply points stocks were emptied at nearly all bases in the Japanese path of advance; leaving little or no supply to Jap LCU's or aircraft occupying the base after its capture and no available supply to support a continued Japanese advance.

Wheras in CHS, Pillager could feed Japanese LCU's and aircraft "off the land" from supply taken in captured Allied bases, in AE, Pillager very likely in many instances had to transport in every supply point needed by front-line Jap LCU's and aircraft. This action appeared to be particularly effective on Luzon, and to a lesser extent the DEI (though it still required Pillager to transport most of the supply required by his front-line forces as they advanced).

The "scorched earth" strategem is less useful in situations where Allied forces are performing a gradual retreat (mainland of Malaya during the withdrawal into Singapore, also China) and in areas where no Allied defensive stronghold is planned (Burma).


Evacuations:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – With restricted commands being as they are in AE compared to CHS, there are fewer air units and LCU’s that can be evacuated from Malaya, the Philippines, DEI, and other areas. More of these units will stand and die in AE than they did in our first match in CHS. My thoughts on this is that the added restrictions in AE will likely be more help than handicap, this situation pushing me away from early-game evacuations and into other directions.

June 1942 actual – Restricted commands in AE plus fewer PP spent on re-assigning commands of Allied LCU’s and air units in Malaya, DEI and Philippines, the total number of evacuated LCU’s and air units dropped considerably in AE from last time around in CHS. LCU’s transferred using PP expenditures include seven Dutch LCU’s (2 flak, 3 small combat units and two Base Force units), 27 Australian Brigade from Singapore, nine understrength RAF & RN Base Force LCU’s from Burma, possibly several other small LCU in Burma – most of these transfers handled at minimum PP cost.

As stated in my 12/41 estimate, the added restrictions in AE were more help than handicap in pushing me away from early-game evacuations and into other directions.


Early game PP Expenditures:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – In our first match, I had placed a great deal of emphasis (and PP expenditures) on evacuating Allied air units and LCU’s from Malaya, the Philippines, DEI, and other locations to India and Australia.

Having done that… it is quite possible these evacuations were at the expense of using PP for other (more critical) Allied early-game actions elsewhere. I had used few or no PP early in our last game for moving U.S. forces off the U.S. west coast to garrison bases in the South Pacific theatre before Pillager moved into the area with Japanese forces to take Canton, Samoa, Suva and Noumea. It’s hard to say if it would have made a difference, but the possibility has to be explored.

June 1942 actual – This time around, I spent a considerably larger share of PP activating US and some ANZAC LCU’s for shipping out mainly into the South Pacific theatre. The more rapid build-up of Allied forces in the South and SW Pacific was greatly helped by this change in PP expenditures.


Deer in the Headlights:

Dec 1941 estimate (quote from original post) – I was certainly guilty of this last time. Paralysis resulting from some of Pillager’s early actions last time around very likely had crucial consequences, especially in the Pacific theatres. Paralysis, along with over-estimation of Japanese capabilities, contributed to at least some of the Allied difficulties in our last match. Real life imitating history... This time I have the opportunity of 20-20 hindsight to reduce or eliminate the paralysis and mis-estimation of Japanese capabilities.

June 1942 actual – Except for the sea movement fiasco I had with ships trying to get out of the Philippines in 12/41 (this resulting in the sinking of many ships including Boise & Houston), things remained rather orderly. Though on further examination, at least some if not most of those ships would have been sunk anyway given Pillager's actions.

[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/27/42

Hawaii: Two Jap submarines detected in sea areas near Hawaii – one sub (probably the I-8 near Lihue on 6/26) located due W of Kona moving on a SE heading, the second Jap sub (unidentified) located NE of Pearl Harbor moving to the NW. No reported attack this game turn by US forces against either sub contact.


Eastern US: Fast transport convoy EX-12 (26 transport ships, one AV, all ships 16 kts and greater) departing the Eastern US this game turn for Australia via Capetown. Cargo aboard this convoy includes eight LCU’s (139 USA Base Force, 1 USMC EAB, 77 Coast AA Rgt, three tank Bns, two FA Rgts), four USAAF fighter squadrons (100 planes total), 116K supply and 38K fuel.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/26 reports intercepted radio transmission (call sign) from Jap submarine I-175 SW of Christmas Is. Location of I-175 is directly in the movement path of two empty US xAK returning to Pearl Harbor – these ships have been diverted around the contact.

Jap minesweeping operations continue at Truk. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TF 383 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108)

Japanese Ships
AMc Seki Maru #3
AMc Fumi Maru #2

38 mines cleared

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detected status of Japanese base in Truk – 73 ships in port, 41 aircraft, no visible LCU’s.


South Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/26 reports intercepted Jap radio transmission from Tulagi. Detected status of Tulagi shows no visible Japanese forces or activity.

Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/26 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Salamaua
Coastwatcher Report: 12 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Noumea
Coastwatcher Report: 3 ships in port at Luganville
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,156 near Koumac , Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 120,154 near Efate , Speed unknown
Coastwatcher sighting: 2 Japanese ships at 106,125 near Rabaul , Speed 15 , Moving Northwest
Coastwatcher sighting: 7 Japanese ships at 120,153 near Epi , Speed 10 , Moving Northeast
Coastwatcher sighting: 10 Japanese ships at 120,151 near Pentecost Island , Speed 11 , Moving Northeast


Australia: Float plane from unidentified Jap submarine off Perth reported flying over Perth base hex.


Philippines: Japanese amphibious landing ops underway at Sibuyan. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Sibuyan

TF 27 troops unloading over beach at Sibuyan, 80,82

Japanese ground losses:
311 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 36 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 24th Div /2
19 troops of a IJA Infantry Squad accidentally lost during unload of 24th Div

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Burma: Japanese air bombing raids on Akyab continue. AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on 3rd Burma Rifles Battalion, at 54,45 (Akyab)

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-Ic Sally: 3 damaged

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

Aircraft Attacking:
12 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 1000 feet
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


China: Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. Latest AAR follows.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2325 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 840
Defending force 18414 troops, 214 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 529

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

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (3 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
104th Division
13th Tank Regiment
38th Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
21st Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
28th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
4th War Area
10th Group Army
16th Group Army
35th Group Army

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[wneumann]

Summary of Operations 6/28/42

Hawaii: Jap submarine I-26 attacked by PBY Catalina air patrol NW of Oahu, no hits reported. I-26 observed moving on a SE heading.


Central Pacific: Sigint entry for 6/27 reports intercepted Jap radio transmissions from Roi-Namur. Detected status of Roi-Namur shows undetermined Jap aircraft based there, airfield built to size 4(1). No other visible Jap forces or activity on Roi-Namur.

Jap minesweeping operations continue at Truk. AAR follows.

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TF 383 encounters mine field at Truk (112,108)

Japanese Ships
AMc Seki Maru #3
AMc Fumi Maru #2

36 mines cleared

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Detected status of Japanese base in Truk – 70 ships in port, 36 aircraft, no visible LCU’s, one or more unidentified Jap TF(s) in the base (possibly the minesweepers).


South Pacific: Daily coastwatcher reports from 6/27 Operations report follow.

Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Shortlands
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Ndeni
Coastwatcher Report: 4 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher Report: 1 ship in port at Manus
Coastwatcher Report: 21 ships reported in port at Rabaul
Coastwatcher sighting: 1 Japanese ship at 113,156 near Koumac , Speed unknown


Australia: Allied surface ASW reports contact with Jap sub off Perth. AAR follows.

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ASW attack near Perth at 47,147 (WNW of Perth)

Japanese Ships
SS I-32

Allied Ships
DD Piet Hein
DD Witte de With

SS I-32 is sighted by escort
DD Piet Hein fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Witte de With fails to find sub and abandons search
Escort abandons search for sub

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DEI: Japanese amphibious landing underway at Ternate (Moluccas). AAR’s follow.

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Pre-Invasion action off Ternate

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 26
SC Ch 24
xAK Toyohasi Maru

SC Ch 26 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 24 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 4,000 yards
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 2,000 yards

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Amphibious Assault at Ternate

TF 173 troops unloading over beach at Ternate, 78,102

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (0 destroyed, 3 disabled)

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Invasion Support action off Ternate

Japanese Ships
SC Ch 26
SC Ch 24
xAK Toyohasi Maru

SC Ch 26 fired at enemy troops
SC Ch 24 fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

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Philippines: Japanese amphibious landing ops continue at Sibuyan.


China: Bombardment attack by Jap ground forces near Kweiyang. AAR follows.

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Ground combat at 75,50 (E of Kweiyang)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 2343 troops, 192 guns, 131 vehicles, Assault Value = 848
Defending force 18485 troops, 211 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 535

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

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

Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
104th Division
38th Division
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
21st Mortar Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
5th RF Gun Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
64th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Prov Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Cavalry Corps
93rd Chinese Division
9th Group Army
16th Group Army
10th Group Army
4th War Area
35th Group Army

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[johnjohn]

Superb recap of intentions and reality.

In my match with the AI, my intentions (other than trying to learn the game), were to follow the careful defensive actions of real life. I lucked out with a battle of Midway affair in late February at Noumea, which I was able to hold while sinking three enemy CVs, damaging a fourth in a four against four match, where I lost Lexington and took a little damage on the other three. That sucked the air out of the Japanese air projection campaign. My limited surface efforts build around US cruisers and a few aussie helpers yielded terrific results in two sweeps led by Captain Howard Good (CO New Orleans). He intercepted 26 supply vessels, sinking all, and killed some 50,000 enemy troops via drowning, not to mention the crews of the 26 supply ships. Other SAGs gave tit for tat, and by June a fair number of the enemy BBs and Cruisers had been sunk. Noumea remained in US hands, and Luganville was quickly retaken. Small SAGs (two dds) were deployed at vulnerable bases and turned away several invasion attacks that ran the gauntlet of defenders.

In retrospect, the defense went well, although it was not without losses. Lexington was sunk as was Formidable, one of the better UK carriers. Burma was lost just about in the same way Pillager took it in the main campaign of this thread. China continues to hold from positions taken in January. I put every LCU I could into defensible terrain to maximize defense. That has mostly worked, and an expanded supply effort is making key positions more difficult to assault. The AI has ramped up in China, but not like what happens in PvP games. So China is mostly in my hands.

The DEI and Phillipines fell in just about the same time as they should have. Meanwhile, all of Aussie has held, mostly with an infusion of fighters that fought off the bombing and softening up campaign, inflicting significant losses, especially to the Bettys and Zeros. Prince of Wales and Repulse survived as well. They did a Sir Robin at the beginning as did the entire Phillipine Navy, most of which got away.

Jumping ahead to Feb 43, it is apparent that the enemy does not have much in the Solomons, even though they originally grabbed everything but Ndeni on the way to Luganville. I now occupy all islands east of Shortlands, with bases at Munda, Rekata Bay, Russell Is, Tulagi, Tassaforanga, Lunga, Rennel Is, Kirakira, Ndeni, and Luganville. Although there was some resistance, it turned out that each base was taken within two weeks and all defenders eliminated in three weeks. Port Morseby, which fell early on, was easily retaken in one day. The original defenders, lanquishing in the swamp next hex over, survived for months via daily air drops. C-47s saved them and the guys and girls stationed in the Horn islands. Now they are marching back to a hero's welcome.

The enemy seems to have lost the ability to project power. The last thrust toward Munda resulted in another Enemy carrier biting the dust (Hiyo), along with three CVLs and the BB Haruna. Attacking US ships augmented with land based a/c support turned out not to work. Enemy now limited to three CVs, Shokaku, Akagi, and Kaga.

My ability to advance as far as I have is solely because of the sinking of three front line CVs early in 42, a most unlikely event to happen against human opponent, because the AI sent four carriers instead of all six against two separate 2 CV US TFs. My carriers had support at Noumea (both TFs were hanging out there) and that caused the enemy to split it's attacks against the base and the task forces whereas the US went only for the carriers. With the carrier threat throttled for awhile, I was able to intercept several important attack forces and inflict considerable death and destruction on the enemy. A real "KB" out there would have stopped that.

I am proceeding to planning the taking of the Gilberts and Marshalls. Mac A will slug his way up the Island, and Shortlands will be next to go for Halsey. The basic difficulty is I have one invasion force which is doing double duty hopping between Halsey and Mac A. That force will soon be on the West Coast hauling the players in the next campaign to Hawaii. That will slow things accordingly.

Having fun, Johnjohn.