Onto the Breach (for the 4th time) dear friends

[vicberg]

The game requires an entirely new installation and/or swapping various files vs. stock game. Significant changes.

TBH, I haven't read about device changes, but there are signifcant changes to air support/ground support/engineers/reduced transports. Basically, much less in every category. Slow to build up bases or repair damage. Less ground support means slower ground campaigns, more disruption and lesser combat effectiveness. My troops went to 90 disruption crossing the river into Singapore and it's taken a week to bring that number back down. In Stock, one naval guard unit can take Ambon or Tarakan. In this game, nope. Need two or more because combat effectiveness is reduced. My usual initial month of campaigning, which has a nice pace and initiative to it, has really been disrupted by this scenario because I can't keep planes in the air and my troops aren't as effective. It's taken a while to get used to.

I have 23 days of resources left in the HI and am now committing major transports just to keep resources flowing into HI. Once again, less transport capabilitity means more transports are needed for even basic operations. I'll be converting xAKs into AKs where possible because it may take one or two APs/AKs to transport a combat unit, it takes 10 or more xAKs to move the same unit. It takes 20-25 xAKs to move a div.

I'm already worried about fuel in late game, which is why China will be critical. To attempt an Indian/OZ/deep SOPAC campaign in this game will simply aid the allies in their quest, IMO. So, right now, Singapore -> Java/Sumatra -> Burma/PI. Solomons are already conquered. I may push a bit further into Sopac and possibly the Aleutians. Still not sold on either yet. Aleutians are a probable.

AF engineers and construction units are in route from Manchuko to Truk to help build the outer defense. I'm laying mines and building airbases/forts around in inner defensive areas. It's going to take a long time to build these up. There aren't enough construction units or air support units to defend every base, so I'm going to focus on a lesser number of interlocking airbases, with the hopes of being able to get 3-4 large airbases in mutual aupports along the inner defense line, marshalls, solomons, gilberts. Certainly, I can have 5-10 built up airbases in each region, but without support flying hundreds of planes onto a base without the ability to keep them in the air will just create more problems.

It's definately different. I like it a lot.

[vicberg]

The assault on Singapore has begun.

Not too unhappy with results but disruption and fatigure went back above 50 after one day of fighting.

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 72674 troops, 749 guns, 436 vehicles, Assault Value = 2523

Defending force 50301 troops, 477 guns, 346 vehicles, Assault Value = 778

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 928

Allied adjusted defense: 1259

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 2)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1371 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 130 disabled
Non Combat: 48 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 24 destroyed, 58 disabled
Guns lost 16 (1 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Vehicles lost 45 (9 destroyed, 36 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
3483 casualties reported
Squads: 153 destroyed, 90 disabled
Non Combat: 19 destroyed, 136 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 48 (15 destroyed, 33 disabled)
Vehicles lost 32 (10 destroyed, 22 disabled)

Assaulting units:
15th Ind Engineer Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
4th Division
55th Engineer Regiment
55th Cavalry Regiment
5th Division
113th Infantry Regiment
33rd Division
56th Recon Regiment
23rd Ind Engineer Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
Imperial Guards Division
18th Division
41st Infantry Regiment
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Mortar Battalion
25th Army
20th AA Regiment
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Army
5th Mortar Battalion
56th Field Artillery Regiment
55th Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion

Defending units:
SSVF Brigade
1st Manchester Battalion
FMSV Brigade
1st Malay Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
11th Indian Division
3rd SSVF Battalion
2nd Gordons Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
2nd Malay Battalion
2nd Loyal Battalion
9th Indian Division
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
111th RAF Adv Base Force
27th Australian Brigade
2nd ISF Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
223 Group RAF
224 Group RAF
109th RAF Adv Base Force
Singapore Fortress
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
110th RAF Adv Base Force
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
1st Hyderabad Battalion
AHQ Far East
Malaya Army
112th RAF Adv Base Force
1st ISF Base Force
113th RAF Adv Base Force
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
109th RN Base Force
Singapore Base Force
III Indian Corps
22nd Australian Bde /2

There's been enough said about the ground combat system, but it really does need a bit of work. Less losses on each side, less fatigue and disruption to enable a more historical flavor of armies fighting for sometimes weeks on end. You just don't get that flavor when it's one day of fighting and then rest for another 2 days, which is what I'm going to need to do.

[vicberg]

January 20th, 1942.

Japanese continue to advance. The Gilberts have fallen.

No action in Java. Lack of transports from Babeldaob are having an effect. Koepang was invaded. I'm sure George has already pulled everything out of Darwin, so a non-event there. I'm loading as much as I can to land on Java and chip away at Batavia and Soerabaja. I have a number of japanese SCTFs in the area, so I'll be able to land a regiment and a couple of Tank Regiments to start the conquest. I'm loading the 2nd division at Rabaul for an invasion of PM. KB will support that.

I believe I've played far too conservatively. Not enough damage done at all. So my response will be to get more aggressive in taking Java/Sumatra and then some deep strikes with the KB. Perth will be the first target. It's quite nice because I can advance from outside search ranges, unlike an East Coast of OZ strike. Building up defenses and making deep strikes will be the pattern of this war until mid/late 42. I'm expecting a counter attack by George by that point. Once his point of advance is clear, I'll be able to tailor my defenses.

Still needing more transports to keep resources flowing. I think I'll have 50% of my transport fleet, at least, at work for resource movement.

Defenses are being built.

Another attack on Singapore has been scheduled. I'm sure I won't take it and it will be another few days before another one can happen. In Burma, George is getting some target practice in against my Thai troops. I've dedicated zeroes and Netties to shut down Rangoon airfield.

[vicberg]

This is such an irritating combat. One combat again at Singapore and fatigue jumps to 60. Sheez. So, no bombardment, since that only seems to disrupt me. In one or two days another one. I'm reducing forts. I'm making progress. I really don't like this ground combat model. Pretty lame, IMO.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 82887 troops, 849 guns, 443 vehicles, Assault Value = 2447

Defending force 47720 troops, 465 guns, 337 vehicles, Assault Value = 634

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 1646

Allied adjusted defense: 941

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2842 casualties reported
Squads: 102 destroyed, 129 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 46 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 28 (4 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (2 destroyed, 37 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1654 casualties reported
Squads: 41 destroyed, 60 disabled
Non Combat: 91 destroyed, 146 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 41 (17 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 69 (61 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units destroyed 2

[vicberg]

FYI, Allied players should follow George's model. Move all troops onto best terrain. Build up forts (which are way overpowered in conjunction with terrain) and pull out all air power and shipping. Slows japanese completely. I can't focus on both PI and Malaysia and Java. I have majority of Japanese power on Malaysia. I've been ground attacking him almost since beginning of war and it still isn't enough. Terain and forts are WAY overpowered. I believe a progressive valuation should be given to increasing value of forts and terrain should be reduced.

[Andav]

Hey Vic,

I do agree the Allies should follow George's model. It is most irritating. Watching where he chooses to defend is very interesting. Chinese units in rough terrain which takes forever to march into. Most annoying. Stacking is most annoying as well.

I have been fearful of Wenchow so I starting bombing it from Dec 7th. One or two runway hits most days. He only has two units there and will have the unit from the city to the north which was retreated. I have 3 divisions plus two regiments marching there.

He has pretty much bugged out of everywhere. I find this kinda surprising since it is not really necessary. I think with this mod and the reduced loads, the Allies can pick some forward places to defend more than normal. The Japanese just cant drop divisions where ever they want. It is hard enough to get a NGU somewhere in fewer than 20 ships. I think they have opportunities to put some road blocks up and cause the Japanese to have to come with more units.

I should cross to Singapore tomorrow once our current issue with the vanishing units is resolved.

Let the smoke screen begin!

Wa

[PaxMondo]

Just my 2 cents ... think you are doing quite well. Singers looks to fall, as you say, quite soon. Yes, George is falling back, but it is a good strategy by the allies. I think this scenario makes both China and India that much more likely targets than stock. Not sure what your next round of target plans are, but will be watching. Will you go for either China or India or ???

[vicberg]

I'm definately going for China.

I'm doing fine. I'm taking more shipping losses than I like. I'm used to steamrolling in the first few months, but there simply isn't enough transports. I've already committed 1/2 my transport fleet to resource transport. I'm going to switch tactics in the SRE. Once singapore falls, I'm going to move the majority of divisions onto Java and make sure that falls and then I'll distribute the divisions to Burma and PI. PI should be ripe in a month.

[vicberg]

What George also uses well are PT boats. I had two SCTFs come against Massakar and they didn't hit a thing. Then my amphib force came in a lost a ship and damaged another before retreating. So I'm going to adopt new tactics for PT boats. Have the amphib follow the SCTF. Make sure the SCTF is on remain on station and then once the PTs retreat, invade the spot.

[Andav]

The PT are an issue. It is kinda my standard practice to sweep a base with a CL led SCTF. He is also sending HDMLs (or what ever) into my landing zones. So far they have not done anything other then cause the landing forces to "Get underway".

I am going to push in China as well. With the reduced cargo space in this mod, moving an Army to India would be very difficult. Plus, opening the supply route from Malaysia to Korea is a HUGE thing to keep from burning fuel hauling from Singapore. Once Sumatra and Java are secured, some of the units will go to China via Vietnam.

Wa

[vicberg]

It's a great defense. LOL, I led with 2 SCTFs against the PTs, neither hit a thing and ran away leaving my amphib TF wide open.

The bigger ships find them hard to hit, run out of ammo and retreat, leaving the spot defended. I'm going in next turn with a Patrol Boat force and see how that does. This may be a rock/paper/scissors. So against the PTs, send Patrol Boats. We'll see.

I agree about India. OZ is the only potential as long as the attack originates in the North. It is close enough to Java to be feasible without a huge transport investment. But best route is to take China and secure that LOC.

[vicberg]

January 24th, 1942

More quiet turns. I've loaded up numerous TFs to take remainder of Solomons and PM. The 2nd Division will be slated for PM. I have numerous AF Units and Construction Units about to land on Truk from Manchuko. I'll distribute them to the outer ring of defenses and start building them up.

Tarakan, Cebu and Koepang are draws right now. I have the advantage of having more supplies, so I'll keep chipping away until they fall. Singapore is slated for another attack today. If I can, hopefully, I'll have enough troops undisrupted and unfatigued to keep a second day of attacking and hopefully alternate attacks day by day. We'll see.

[vicberg]

For the 3rd day in a row, 4-6 PT boats have scared off now a Cruiser TF! and prevented an invasion. I have to figure out how to kill these little buggers so I can continue with my advance. UGG!

[Richard III]

ORIGINAL: vicberg

For the 3rd day in a row, 4-6 PT boats have scared off now a Cruiser TF! and prevented an invasion. I have to figure out how to kill these little buggers so I can continue with my advance. UGG!

____________________________________________________________________

Try setting the orders of the SAG to "absolute and direct", and/or upgrade the TF leader. If there is _no AA_ there, setting fighters in range at 100' alt. and "Naval Attack" at that port sometimes works a good strafing attack on a PT TF.

[Andav]

I agree with Richard about trying direct and absolute. I have never had much luck with fighters at 100'. What is the moon light? The brighter the moon the better as well. If it is very low they will just sneak up on you.

Wa

[vicberg]

January 25th, 1941

My two SCTFs finally decided to fight. I have zeroes set to naval attack as well. Thanks for the advice.

Day Time Surface Combat, near Tarakan at 67,91, Range 15,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Yamagumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo

Allied Ships
HDML P 1, Shell hits 2, and is sunk
HDML P 2, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
HDML P 3, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Day Time Surface Combat, near Makassar at 65,106, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Chokai
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CA Suzuya
CA Kumano
DD Maikaze
DD Hagikaze
DD Fubuki
DD Shinonome
DD Usugumo
DD Shirakumo

Allied Ships
TM-4, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-5
TM-6
TM-7, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-8, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk

Singapore is ripe fall. It's so tempting to take one more pop at it, but all my troops are at 80 disruption. So I'll continue the ground bombardments and artillery for a day or two.

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 76551 troops, 824 guns, 400 vehicles, Assault Value = 2068

Defending force 43200 troops, 437 guns, 285 vehicles, Assault Value = 528

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 958

Allied adjusted defense: 1013

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1240 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 130 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 39 (8 destroyed, 31 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2288 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 95 destroyed, 136 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 47 (10 destroyed, 37 disabled)
Vehicles lost 15 (8 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units destroyed 4

I'm getting popped by Georges subs in the SRE. Trying to do too much at once, so I've stopped everything in Timor area and will do less with more heavily escorted convoys.

AVG got the jump on a Nate squadron over Changsha. I've been bombing the airfield and I guess he didn't like that. The nates took it pretty bad. Not surprised as it's a very crummy airplane. I'm transferring all my Oscars Squadrons (which aren't doing anything right now), up to China (3 of them). I'll try to overwhelm them in numbers and then continue taking out Changsha airfield.

The 11th Army is currently next to Changsha moving Southwest. The 1st Army is moving next to Changsha from Hankow. The 12th Army is in transit and the 13th Army is currently moving into position from the south. The Northern Army and Mongol Division is currently defending the north (Nanyang, Loyang, Chengchow). I'm building forts there. Its 5 divisions plus a few brigades in the north. Should be more than enough to defend the area. Plus, in the next couple of months, lots of japanese reinforcements start showing up in China. I welcome a Chinese attack in the north. Once out of their rough terrain, they make easy pickings for my airpower.

[vicberg]

January 27th, 1942

PM will be invaded tomorrow. I softened up the port with a naval bombardment. Other invasions around the Solomons are happening with KB cover. No sign of any allied defense right now. The air support and construction units from Manchuko have arrive in Truk and will be distributed to the Gilberts and Solomons to start building defenses.

Finally, a japanese sub does something. Haven't seen a convoy anywhere coming from West Coast. Not sure what the heck he's doing. But my subs of San Francisco got a torp into a BB! Yea!

Sub attack near San Francisco at 215,70

Japanese Ships
SS I-16

Allied Ships
BB Idaho, Torpedo hits 1
PC Ariadne

Singapore is ripe for the fall, so I've ordered an attack. Bombardments are always a good judge. When the damage they do starts rising it's a good sign

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 73110 troops, 827 guns, 233 vehicles, Assault Value = 2049

Defending force 40957 troops, 426 guns, 276 vehicles, Assault Value = 449

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

Allied ground losses:
165 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

In China, I've grounded most of my bombers and am allowing my Oscars squadrons to rest. Tomorrow, I'll start the air campaign for China. The Oscar is really not a very good plane, but the plan is to overwhelm him in numbers.

[obvert]

With the Oscars it really depends on which ones you're talking about. The 1a will do little, and is basically a Nate. The 1 b has been effective for me, but has a hard time finishing off kills. Lots of damaged planes, but it tends to survive better than the 1a. The 1c has been fairly decent for me. Even against the AVG these groups do fairly well with good pilots. Against the British BUffalos they do very well, and against the Dutch they wipe the floor. Until the hurricane arrives at least.

Any plans for campaigns in China? Sian or Changsha?

[vicberg]

Changsha. The LOC from Vietnam to Fusan is the goal. I have 5 armies moving into positions (1st, 11th, 12th, 13th, 23rd). I'll post a screen shot soon. I need to stretch him out a bit. I left enough in the north (Nanyang) to be a threat and pin down his troops. My air squadrons are all Oscar 1Cs so I'm glad to hear that.

[obvert]

Great. That'll be fun to watch.

Get 'em in the clear when you can.