Once Again into the Breach - Mike (J) vs. tc464 (A)

[Mike Solli]

27 Dec 41

Sub War

Nada

5 Fleet

Nada

4 Fleet

I captured Nauru. Resources are 98(2). Lots stored there. The first CS is on it's way. Garrison enroute as well. The invasion fleet is loading up for Ocean Is.

SE Fleet

Ted's subs came out to play. They're chasing after KB. Not to be deterred, The sweep netted 1of two P-40Es that came up to play. The port attack was a success. The 54 Kates damaged the port and hit and xAKL and 2x xAPs (one damaged earlier) for no loss. The Pt. Moresby Invasion fleet is finished loading up at Rabaul and heading SW. Sweeping ahead of it is the BB TF under the watchful eye of KB.

Borneo

The 21 Division has completed loading and is steaming toward Balikpapan and is being escorted by the 4 BB TF and the Hosho/Zuiho TF. Some engineers are joining the TF to reduce the chance of major damage to Balikpapan.

The JAAF Base Force that will be the garrison to Tarakan is two days out. One day out is the 56k supply TF to rebuild the damaged oil and refineries. Ted didn't send any Dutch bombers to get shot down over Tarakan. Too bad.

The Tobali Invasion force (21 IMB) has reloaded at Singkawang and is headed SW. The 22 Air Flotilla HQ is a day or so behind them. Soon, Tobali will be a Nettie/Zero hub and will cause Ted ulcers. [:D]

Mindanao

I am attacking Dadjangas and Malaybalay. Once they are cleared, Davao will be the last remaining Allied base on Mindanao. This theater will soon be over.

Philippines

The Singapore artillery is completely offloaded. It should all be at Clark Field in 1-2 days. The reduction of the Allied troops at Clark Field continues....

China

A Chinese Corps was attacked two hexes north of Hwainan. Our losses were minimal at 10(0) to 1074(108) Chinese losses.

Burma

The invasion force should reach Moulmein tomorrow. Finally. 33 Div's train is finally leaving Bangkok.

Malaya

Yamada Det did a weep of Singapore. Their 18 Zeros were opposed by 11 Buffalos. They shot down 6 Buffalos to one Zero lost, but the pilot was recovered. I can live with that. One of Yamada's pilots achieved elite status. Another is only 1 point away from that honor. Another couple of days of sweeping Singapore and then this unit will move to Tobali.

Troops finally made it into Johore Bharu. I'll take it tomorrow and then station Fighters there. Then we can begin the bombing of Singapore with Sallys.

I attacked the remnants of the 22 Indian Brigade and base force which were the garrison of Kuantan. The successful battle caused 600(108) Allied casualties to 48(1) Japanese casualties.

I'm attacking Kota Bharu tomorrow. The remnants of the isolated Brits/Indians are in that town (FMSV Bde), Temuloh (3 units including the Kuantan garrision) and Kuala Lumpur (1 unit).

2 Division will complete unloading at Mersing tomorrow or the day after. 38 Division is 2 days out from Mersing.

Other Stuff

Choosing a proper garrison is very important. The Base Forces are critical to efficient loading of resources. Notice that I did not say oil. According to the rule book, naval support does not affect the speed of oil or fuel loading or unloading. Just cargo, which is everything but liquid. So, I've allocated my JAAF Base Forces to locations that do not have resources present, such as Miri, Brunei, Tarakan and Balkipapan. Places that also have resources present will get the IJN Base Forces and Special Base Forces, such as Palembang and Soerabaja.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I captured Nauru. Resources are 98(2). Lots stored there. The first CS is on it's way. Garrison enroute as well. The invasion fleet is loading up for Ocean Is.

Mike: I spent a lot of time and effort early to mid-war extracting resources from Nauru and some of the distant resource DEI sources. Short answer: totally not worth it. With what you have coming into Port Arthur and Hokkaido +/- Singapore +/- Hong Kong, you'll have more than enough. Resource CS into distant and poorly patrolled waters are totally not worth the risk or the fuel you'll have to schlep in to fuel 'em.

Choosing a proper garrison is very important. The Base Forces are critical to efficient loading of resources. Notice that I did not say oil. According to the rule book, naval support does not affect the speed of oil or fuel loading or unloading. Just cargo, which is everything but liquid. So, I've allocated my JAAF Base Forces to locations that do not have resources present, such as Miri, Brunei, Tarakan and Balkipapan. Places that also have resources present will get the IJN Base Forces and Special Base Forces, such as Palembang and Soerabaja.

Interesting idea, Mike. I hadn't thought it through that much, but you're probably right. I'll look into this distinction...

[Mike Solli]

Chickenboy, I know you're right about Nauru and Ocean. In our previous games, Ted always left the Centpac alone for the most part. He'd send bombardment TFs to Wake occasionally. I usually would get some subs in the way and get an occasional hit on a capital ship. He'd build an airbase at Abemama to bomb Tarawa to eventually take. Nothing drastic there. I suspect he's going to do something different this game. I'm not sure what I'll do, but it's really hard to watch those resources sit there and accumulate. [:D]

[Mike Solli]

About the base forces - in the past I always just grabbed what was available and stuck it at an important base without rhyme or reason. I'm trying to be more critical in my thinking about land unit placement. In particular, I'm trying to critically place AS units, engineers and base forces. Part of the placement requires thinking about which bases are important, specifically air bases. We'll see how it turns out.

[Dan Nichols]

Also note from the manual that bases with resource centers will increase loading rate and daily load limit of resources.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Dan Nichols

Also note from the manual that bases with resource centers will increase loading rate and daily load limit of resources.

Correct Dan. Refineries and oil centers similarly affect the daily/max load rate for fuel and oil. The key here is that naval support only affects cargo. Ports that have refineries and/or resource and oil centers give us their benefit. Unfortunately, we can't move that benefit. So the placement of the IJN base forces, which have naval support, are key if you want to maximize cargo load/unload rates.

Then there's also the other benefits we get from naval support. That has to be taken into consideration as well. The proper amount of naval support at a critical base can mean the ability to loading main gun shells on a capital ship, especially if there isn't the appropriate sized AKE nearby. That's the reason I'm not bombarding any enemy bases with my BBs. I need those main gun rounds for the Repulse if she rears her ugly head.

[Mike Solli]

Base forces again. JAAF base forces aren't really base forces at all. They are the rough equivalent of 2x JAAF AF Bns with 48 AS. The JAAF AF Bn has 24 AS and the JAAF AF Co has 8 AS. So really, how you deploy them is based on how much AS you need at that base. Nothing more. There is one major difference between the company sized unit and the other two. The company doesn't have an infantry component or an observer squad or sound detector. In my opinion, they're best used to augment a bn or BF to get to the level of AS you require.

I'm going to look at the IJA units this way:

1 JAAF Base Force = 2 JAAF Bn = 6 JAAF Co

Now, on the other hand, an IJN Base force is in reality a beefed up JNAF AF Unit. Both have 24 AS, but the base force has the naval support component and they upgrade later to include CD guns. I'm going to chart out the differences and try to determine the best locations for these unit types. IJN base forces need to be in critical locations where their CD guns will come in handy should a nasty Allied player want to take it away from us. Hmmm...

[awaw]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Base forces again. JAAF base forces aren't really base forces at all. They are the rough equivalent of 2x JAAF AF Bns with 48 AS. The JAAF AF Bn has 24 AS and the JAAF AF Co has 8 AS. So really, how you deploy them is based on how much AS you need at that base. Nothing more. There is one major difference between the company sized unit and the other two. The company doesn't have an infantry component or an observer squad or sound detector. In my opinion, they're best used to augment a bn or BF to get to the level of AS you require.

I'm going to look at the IJA units this way:

1 JAAF Base Force = 2 JAAF Bn = 6 JAAF Co

Now, on the other hand, an IJN Base force is in reality a beefed up JNAF AF Unit. Both have 24 AS, but the base force has the naval support component and they upgrade later to include CD guns. I'm going to chart out the differences and try to determine the best locations for these unit types. IJN base forces need to be in critical locations where their CD guns will come in handy should a nasty Allied player want to take it away from us. Hmmm...

Aside from what you mentioned, JAAF BF has a very important distinction from other AF units: longest range radar...... The current db has a severe limit of the number of radar units that Japan can field. What I do is

1. Split these JAAF BF units up into the bases that are important, if only to maximise radar coverage.
2. Position the "special BF" into where I think the allies may be going, may as well put those coastal guns to use.....
3. Then split those that have naval support to the bases holding LCU resercounter attack enemy incursions.
4. Top up any needed AS from the remaining units.

After going through the above, you will really Japan does not have quite enough to man her perimeter. So the entire defence has to be a fluid "I react to you" defence rather than a static defence with reserves.

Just my $0.02

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: awaw

Aside from what you mentioned, JAAF BF has a very important distinction from other AF units: longest range radar...... The current db has a severe limit of the number of radar units that Japan can field. What I do is

1. Split these JAAF BF units up into the bases that are important, if only to maximise radar coverage.
2. Position the "special BF" into where I think the allies may be going, may as well put those coastal guns to use.....
3. Then split those that have naval support to the bases holding LCU resercounter attack enemy incursions.
4. Top up any needed AS from the remaining units.

After going through the above, you will really Japan does not have quite enough to man her perimeter. So the entire defence has to be a fluid "I react to you" defence rather than a static defence with reserves.

Just my $0.02

Aha! There it is. I hadn't considered radar. Very good. No more than 1 per hex and spread out to maximize coverage.

This is great stuff. Thanks! [&o]

[Empire101]

Everytime I read this thread, I learn more and more. Fascinating stuff.

Enjoying this AAR immensely, it is a great learning tool for us restarters!!

Banzai!!

[ny59giants]

35 JNAF BF has 60 Naval Support. It starts in Japan and is one of maybe two in their OOB with this extra feature. [;)]

Speaking of radar, most of your large Army BF (Aviation Support 48) and large AA units get radar. I 'm in early '43 so most have 2 Ta-Chi Type 7 Radar sets each.

[Mike Solli]

Michael, yeah, I'm aware of the 35th. I haven't decided where to place it. Gotta start looking at most effective use of naval support. That's something I've always wanted to do but never got around to. [:D]

Thanks Empire. I love this game. There's always something new to tinker with. Even us old farts who've been in it from the beginning still learn new things.

[Mike Solli]

Haven't had much time to post but we've been playing turns. Lots going on....

28 Dec 42

Sub War

Lots of excitement, but not the good kind. KB was supporting the move on Pt. Moresby and was south of Rabaul. I think Ted sent every Dutch and S class sub down there. A Dutch sub found KB and put a torpedo into the Soryu. Fuel explosion. Ouch. Anyway, her damage is 28-49(36)-15(9)-0. At least the fire is out. She’s 8 hexes from Rabaul. Then an S class put a torpedo into the DD Wakaba. Her damage is 9-85(67)-25(17)-0. She’s not looking good either. The two of them are crawling back to Rabaul at 1 hex per turn. On top of that, another sub attacked the Shokaku. Fortunately, she missed. I set the 2 damaged ships to move directly to Rabaul and sent KB and the BB TF to move south and then east out of the kill zone. Sheesh!

5 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

4 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

SE Fleet

You got most of it above. I’m going to postpone the Pt. Moresby attack to see if I happened to run over the only 3 subs he has there or if there are more of them. Right now my priorities are to get Soryu to Rabaul and KB out of danger.

Fortunately, I had an AR headed to Rabaul from Truk and should arrive in a day or two.

I flew a sweep over Pt. Moresby. Only 2 P-40Es rose and I shot one down. I think there’s only one left.

Mindanao

I attacked Malaybalay and got a 1:1 result losing 275(0) to 195(2). More forces will arrive in a couple of days so I’ll wait for them.

I attacked Dadjangas and killed the 2/101 PA Bn losing 61(0) to 341(36). On to the next base.

China

I attacked another Chinese corps near Kweiteh losing 22(0) to 91(9).

Philippines

Normal bombardment of Clark field. The enemy combat units slowly grow weaker.

Malaya

Johore Bharu fell today. I places 8 Tojos, 12 Oscar Ics and 18 Zeros there to sweep Singapore.

Today’s sweep of Singapore netted 1 of 2 Buffalso.

Kota Bharu easily fell to a brigade of the IG division. The FMSV Bde surrendered. I took no losses to 625(127) Brit losses.

Other Stuff

I got a Ch class SC. It’ll perform ASW.

I’m getting droves of PBs now. Gotta figure out the best place for them.

I shut off the Lily factory due to >50 in the pool. I’ll turn it back on if the need arises.

[Mike Solli]

29 Dec 41

Sub War

No sub attacks today (yay) but the enemy subs are definitely out there.

5 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

4 Fleet

I took Ocean Is. Resources there are 20(0).

SE Fleet

Good ole Nagumo. He followed the Soryu. Now KB is in the middle of a bunch of a bunch of enemy subs that can hit things. The good news is the Soryu didn’t get any worse. Her damage is identical to yesterday. I did realize that she’s much faster than Wakaba and so I separated them into different escort TFs and assigned a DD to each. Soryu should make it to Rabaul in just over a day. Wakaba’s damage also didn’t change from yesterday.

Today I’m going to send KB east then north to Rabaul. This is irritating.

Mindanao

I forgot to turn off the DA at Malaybalay. 1:1 odds again. This time losses were 164(1) to 217(3) Allied casualties. This time I stopped the attack for tomorrow.

Borneo

A small TF of 1 CL and 4 DDs found an Allied TF of 1 xAK and 6 xAKLs just off Balbac. What they didn’t sink some Nells took care of.

Philippines

More bombardment.

China

Nothing new to report.

Burma

I took Moulmein undefended. There was a JAAF Base Force with the invasion force. I posted some Oscar Ics there for CAP.

Malaya

Forces continue to flow into Malaya.

Other Stuff

I got an AS and AMC as reinforcements.

[Mike Solli]

30 Dec 41

Sub War

Lot more exciting stuff……for Ted. I guess it was exciting for me as well, but not the way I like. KB decides to follow Wakaba(!) and moves only one hex. Another Dutch sub (or maybe the same one, who knows) hits Hiryu with 3 torpedoes(!) and gets 2 ammo explosions. I figured she was done for sure, but never got notice of her sinking. Nagumo’s getting shore duty. Wake would be a great place! Anyway, more on the outcome below.

5 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

4 Fleet

Wake begins building a shack for Nagumo.

SE Fleet

Ok, the attack on Hiryu really got me rattled. I wanted to finish the rest of the replay to find out how bad things were with Hiryu. In a couple of days, poof, there goes 2 CarDiv. Here’s the good news. She’s still afloat. Bad news was her damage: 30-80(63)-26(16)-81! She’s a pyre! I decided to see what I could do about the 54 pilots sitting in their ready room playing pinochle while the rest of the ship burned. I think the ready room and the hanger were the only parts not burning because no planes or pilots were lost. (Same was true with Soryu.) That’s odd but good, I guess. I discovered that I could pull all the pilots out into the general reserve. I did that so now all the planes are aboard but no pilots. I feel a little better but with 81 fires, she’s done for.

Better news is that Soryu will make Rabaul tomorrow and that her damage hasn’t changed much: 29-48(36)-15(9)-0. Wakaba is still crawling along but she got a little better: 9-82(67)-25(17)-0.

This time I gave KB orders to head straight for Rabaul. I want Nagumo’s head!

Another sweep of Port Moresby saw 2x P-40Es and both were shot down. I think that’s the last of them.

Mindanao

Nothing new to report.

Borneo

I landed 21 Division at Balikpapan. There were mines there and a DD and 4 xAK(L)s hit them. Two xAKs eventually went down from the damage. I’ll attack tomorrow.

I spotted 4x xAKs near Tarakan. The Kaga/Ryujo took them out with bombs fortunately.

SRA

I took Tobali. I’m starting the airfield. Hopefully, it won’t take a lot of time but I spotted a BC at Soerabaja. I suspect that’s the Repulse. She’s waiting to take out something. Everything got unloaded so the TF is running tomorrow. The 21 IMB and support troops are on their own.

I landed at Manado with 2x SNLFs. I tried to attack but was unsuccessful. I’ll send reinforcements there and push the Dutch out so I can set up some recon there.

Philippines

Typical bombing. I lost a Sally to flak.

China

The AVG reared its ugly head and fortunately I was lucky. Six of them caught a small flight and shot down 2 Anns. I’ll set some bombers on night airfield attack and see if I can drive them off.

Malaya

The sweep of Singapore shot down the last Buffalo (I think).

I took Kuala Lumpur causing 87(17) Brit casualties. Malaybalay has 4 enemy units and the base to the SW has 2. That’s it outside of Singapore’s 38 units.

Other Stuff

Wake reached level 1 forts!

I got lots of small ground reinforcements:

28 Mountain Gun Regiment – Harbin (Kuantung)
Maizuru 2 SNLF – Kwajalein (4 Fleet) – Just a fragment of the unit that took Wake.
II/84 NG – Saipan (SE Fleet) – time to take Guam
Hong Kong Det – 30 AS that’s there temporarily.
31 Special Base Force – Takao (Southern Army)
Wotje Base Force
Kwajelein Base Force
Jaluit Base Force
Maleolap Base Force
50 JNAF Co – Tokyo

I bought the 80 Inf Reg (20 Div) for Southern Army. It’ll head to the SRA and clean up what it can until it’s time for the invasion of Java.

[Mike Solli]

31 Dec 41

Sub War

The DD Tsuga hit a Dutch sub off Saigon today. I think that was the first penetrating hit on a sub I’ve had. Bout time.

Fortunately there weren’t any more attacks down around Rabaul. I set every DB and TB in KB to ASW and allegedly got a bunch of hits on Allied subs. We’ll see…..

5 Fleet

I’m going to have to find a construction unit to send to Adak. Those clowns there are far too lax in their construction speed.

4 Fleet

Nothing new to report.

SE Fleet

Well, no ship has sunk yet. What’s amazing is that Hiryu’s fires went from 81 to 1!!! She’s still 4 hexes from Rabaul but she’s still hanging in there with 33-80(63)-28(16)-1 damage. So is Wakaba, who’s in the same hex and has actually reduced her flotation damage. It’s 10-77(67)-25(17)-0. Soryu made the port of Rabaul and is in the care of the AR there. It’ll take 36 days to repair the non-major damage. Her damage is currently at 29-47(36)-15(9)-0. Barring any unforeseen events, she should make it. Today I’ll offload her air groups to assist with the CAP and ASW actions. I have sent out several ASW TFs along with the ASW and Naval Search in an attempt to scare off the Allied subs and get Hiryu to Rabaul.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Mindanao

Major breakthrough here. I attacked Malaybalay with ~2/3 of the 16 Division and 2x tank regiments. With 9:1 odds, I caused the 4 defending units to surrender! The losses were 229(1) to 2804(421). Now, only Davao and 2 enemy units remain (along with the old Zamboanga garrison festering in the jungle. I should have Davao shortly. Then the Mindanao campaign will be concluded. I have already sent transports to pick up the 124 Inf Reg (56 Div) to ship them to Bangkok and then to meet up with the rest of the division, which is leaving Malaya for Burma.

Philippines

With the 6 artillery units from Singapore present, I attempted another DA. I got 1:1 odds again and lost 1207(4) casualties to 661(18) Allies. Two of the 6 infantry units are now combat ineffective. They shouldn’t last much longer. I hope they do stick around for awhile so I can kill some of them off.

Borneo

I attacked Balikpapan with the 21 Division and successfully took it in a 5:1 attack. The VI KNIL Bn surrendered and the base force retreated to Samarinda. What’s best is that there was no damage to the facilities! The oil and refinery are both at 300(0)! This facility will produce fuel for the Combined Fleet, which will be stationed at Davao when not being used.

I landed at Samarinda as well, but only with engineers that I had planned on landing at Balikpapan until I discovered the mines in port. I’ll attempt a DA tomorrow. If that doesn’t work, I’ll march the 21 Division there to take it. I don’t want any more ships hitting mines. I have some DMSs enroute but they’re about 5 days out.

Speaking of Samarinda, There was an airfield symbol showing up there, so I sent some Kates there to hit the airfield. I figured it was some of those obnoxious Do-24ks. Actually, there were 4x B330s there and they avoided my escort and shot down 2 Kates. Figures…..

China

I popped another Chinese Corps 1 hex NW of Chingting. For no losses, I got 402(62) Chinese.

Burma

As I said earlier, the 56 Division is loading up on trains to head to Burma. The 33 Division has reached the end of the rail line and has begun its long trek to Burma. The IG division will join them after the successful reduction of Singapore.

Malaya

The IG and 18 Division and 3x tank regiments are in the process of surrounding and eliminating the 2 remaining British/Indian units in central Malaya. After that is complete, the two divisions will head for Singapore and the 3x tank regiments will head for Burma.

Ted did another of his sneaky maneuvers today. The Tromp showed up at Kuantan and bombarded the airfield. About a dozen Sallys were damaged (none destroyed) and the resulting Nell/Betty attacks were useless. Sheesh. I thought these guys were good?!

SRA

A dozen Vildebeests showed up at Palembang and hit my convoy at Tobali, badly damaging a couple of xAKs. Damn stringbags!

Other Stuff

I received an xAK and an SC.

End of month stats to follow.

[Mike Solli]

End of Dec 41 Stats

Below are the stats I track. The first two columns are from the start of the game and 1 Jan 42, with the third column showing the delta. There are a few notes and then the last column shows the stats from my last game with Ted for comparison. You’ll see that I’ve been much more aggressive. There’s not much more to add really.

I will comment on how much more expansion I have in the works.

Hong Kong has 21 HI, 12 Resources and 8 Repair yards to complete.

Tarakan is down to 25 oil and refineries to finish. I’m doing the refineries here because I plan on using Tarakan’s fuel for the fleet. I don’t want to have to ship oil and fuel from this base.

Brunei is down to 1 oil to repair and Miri has 139 oil. I am not repairing the additional 150 refineries. Everything from these two bases is headed for the Home Islands.

Engines – There is 1x Hi-32 point to repair, 7 point of Ha-33 and 26, 26 and 27 points of Ha-35. I am about to increase the size 10 Ha-34 factory by 150 for the Helens that come in Apr 42.

The only aircraft building are the Ki-43-Ic with 9, 9 and 8 remaining.

Finally, The following repair yards (in addition to Hong Kong) are Kobe (17), Osaka (1), Pt. Arthur (1), Shanghai (7), Saigon (10) and Tokyo (25). Tokyo is increasing to 50, the minimum required for CS to CVL conversions.

[Mike Solli]

Ship losses for Dec 41:

[zuluhour]

Mike, There is talk of canoerebel seeking a new opponent as he closes out Japan for whatever reasons. I would vote for you as adversary to wage war against him.

[ny59giants]

Send your Tina to Truk. Air transport Naval HQ to Rabaul ASAP!!! Double check your 2 CVs leaders. High Admin and Leadership qualities should help.

I had an empty AO get a torpedo hit south of Davao. She had fires and was able to make Termate. I was fortunate to have a Naval HQ in transit through the area and unloaded two days later. Sent a second HQ to Ternate there. She still sunk as I could not get the fires under control. [&:] 480 Naval Support was not enough. Damn Japanese damage control!!