Howlin' At The Moon - DBB Vettim(A) vs Greasylake (J)

[vettim89]

9 May 1942

A very quiet turn. The IJA has arrived at Chuhsien with five units. I have a base AS of 975 behind level three forts but supplies are very short. Larry continues to poke around China looking for a soft spot.

Quiet in Burma.

Something odd happened. The IJA had landed two RGT at Cebu. This is the only place where I still have supplies in the PI. Thinking the units might be highly disrupted, I ordered the Filipino ID to shock attack. Nothing happend. When I opened the turn file, the IJA is gone. I asked Larry if he had evacuated. I am concerned we may have hit some sort of game glitch. BTW we are still using q6 I beleive.

[vettim89]

10 April 1942

Quiet turn. The IJA units at Chuhsien only have a base AS of 275 vs mine of 975. However, I am very short on supplies.

Larry varified that the units landed at Cebu were indeed evacuated (Whew) Seems the disruption was so high he was afraid they might get destroyed. Very happy we hadn't hit a game glitch

Retreat in Burma is proceeding. The 16th Indian Div is beginning to be lifted out this turn.

VF-42 on USS Yorktown upgrades to F4f-4 - the last CV unit to make that jump. There are 12 TBF in the pool. Lexington is due out of upgrade in 2 days. Likely I will send her with TBD. Yorktown and Saratoga should sail with TBF. Conversely, I might send Hornet and/or Enterprise to Auckland and have them upgrade their VT first.

[vettim89]

11 May 1942

Another quiet turn. Things of note:

* IJN SCTF is in the Java Sea. Dutch AF bombs it to no avail
* IJA arrives at vacant Oosthaven. Likely to be occupied next turn meaning the troops retreating from Benkholen are now cut off
* IJA increase strength at Chuhsien but still trails the Chinese by greater than a 1:2 margin in base AS
* IJA has two INF RGT at Sabang slowly grinding the Dutch defnders down
* IJA paras remain at Padang
* Sub I-4 has been having a field day NE of Hiva Oa. My ASW forces are unable to deter it
* the 32nd ID is on its way to Oz.
* 8th PG arrives Sydney next turn. More BFs are right behind the planes
* Exmouth goes to Level 1 Port. All troops now unloaded
* Engineers have arrived at Unmak Island.

[vettim89]

12 May 1942

Less important things first:

* CV Lexington sorties for SoPac with 14 TBF (one short of a full complement)
* CV Enterprise arrives Hiva Oa
* Sabang falls - troops retreat towards Sibolga
* Oosthaven is occupied as predicted.
* 8th PG arrives Sydney

Now for the important stuff:

For the third time IJN carriers raid Colombo. I only lost a small number of AMc, ML, and HDML. The Japanese Air Groups are trashed by the RAF. Cursor intel is once again useless as to the composition of the CVTF. I watched the combat replay twice and only detected Akagi and Kaga air groups in the attack, but I suspect that is not very reliable. The RAF scrambled far more fighters in the second attack than the first. Again, the raid is heavily weighted with TB.

First Raid
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 34
B5N2 Kate x 13
D3A1 Val x 9

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 6
Hurricane IIb Trop x 12

Second Raid
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 32
B5N2 Kate x 27

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 12
Hurricane IIb Trop x 24

The RN CVs are at Madras. I ordered them to sea to take up a position just SE of Ceylon. I suspect the IJN will withdraw, but if they don't, the RN may be able to penetrat the CAP. If there are indeed two IJN carriers, air losses indicate half of their fighters are gone as well as the bulk of two TB squadrons. Assuming an extra TB squadron is aboard (based on the raid composition), I figure the IJN has at best 30 Zeroes, 18 Vals, and 25 Kates. Still a formidible force to be sure, but I am willing to scarifice a RN carrier or two for a chance at crippling one or two IJN carriers in return.

[vettim89]

13 May 1942

Ok so I chickened out. The cursor intel is likely wrong. Either the a/c numbers are overstated or there are three carriers vice two. I think the a/c numbers are what is the most likley error but I don't want to risk the carrier count being wrong. Just doing the math tells me Akagi + Kaga combined can hold 162 airframes. If the numbers from last turn are correct, that means 108 a/c remain. If larry overloaded the flight decks to the max amount to have without decreased flight ops there could be an additional 16 a/c. Now thats all conjecture but I don't think my three RN CVs could handle even the 108 a/c;ergo, I retreat.

Only other action is that IJA has arrived at Rangoon with five units. I suspect he will hold off on attacking until the remainder or the stack arrives.

One thing I did this turn was look over the map to scrounge up some fighters for Noumea. Unfortunately all I have is about seven VMF spread between PH and the WC. So Either I weaken currently held positions or just settle for those units. Problem is they all need F4F-4 for upgrade. I used all those up on upgrading the VFs. Will take a while to build up the pool. I looked at the reinforcement cue and there is not a lot of help coming in that department for another three or four months. I could weaken PH a bit to augment the FS. The 300 plus fighters I have there is probably overkill

[vettim89]

14 May 1942

I am officially annoyed. You can see from the image that a convoy got jumped at Unmak Island. There is a CVE based TF off to the south plus at least one additional SCTF. Larry landed at Amchitka Island which he will take this comming turn. I never pay that much to NoPac this early in the game. All the ships were sunk in my TF. There were an odd collection of very short ranged xAP plus some AM and PC. Fortuantely the troops they were transporting had all already unloaded. This is now going to force me to pay attention to this section of the map.

This annoys me because Larry still hasn't landed on java, Timor or any points in between. If this goes on much longer, I may move a large force to timor that may make it almost impossible to take. I have 32nd ID in Oz now and another ID inbound (40th). The 41st ID should be released in two more turns. If I move all that force into the DEI. It become very hard for Larry to disloadge it. If he doesn't move soon, he may regret it.

[vettim89]

15 May 1942

The IJN CVTF takes out another small convoy near Dutch Harbor. AN AMC is heading east and is now almost south of Kodiak. Working on getting together a force to challenge it if it drifts further east.

The IJA did a deliberate attack at Rangoon which came off at 1 to 2 and cost the Japanese 1500 casulaties including 16 ENG squads destroyed. Maybe Rangoon will hold a little longer than I though.

My beleaguered (sp?) Dutch troops that retreat from Palaembang then Benkholen hold there ground two hexes south fo Benkholen. Anther Deliberate Attack at padang does little.

[vettim89]

16 May 1942

The IJN Carriers withdraw from the NoPac. The AMC is still chasing convoys around but hasn't hit any. I have a INF RGT assigned to NoPac. I think I may use APDs to try to move it to Adak. The is assuming the Japanese Row Boat Corps doesn't take it first. Cursor intel say four units, 8k troops at Amchitka now.

Next turn I finally will have enough PP to free up the 41st ID. It is at San Diego in Strat mode so can be sent to Oz immediately.

Three large BF and two AA units unloading at Sydney. They will be sent to Cairns to build that base up.

The 1st Burma Div will move to Prome next turn. From there it will go to Magwe then be lifted out. I saved it for two reason: it is trashed and it does not withdraw. The 16th Ind BGD is almost all at Chittagong now. The Gurka BGD goes next.

I now have two CVs in the SoPac with a third on the way. Saratoga and Yorktown are still about two weeks away from being out of the yard.

[vettim89]

17 May 1942

I sent the RN CVTf down to near the Adaman Islands. I had picked up a TF near Port Blair. I only found this AMC but they sunk her. Now: "Run away, run away"

I held off on freeing the 41st ID for one turn. It would have left me with 8 PP. Just hate to drop it quite that low.

Other than that it was a very slow turn

[vettim89]

18 May 1942

An IJN CVTF has appear SW of the Adaman Islands. It is safe to assume they are chasing the RN CVTF. There is 14 hexes between the two forces. Even at Full Speed, they could at best make up 5 hexes. The RN will make port at Madras next turn. There are plent of LBA fighters there to protect them.

IJA attempted another Deliberate Attack at Rangoon which come off at 1 to 2, cost the IJA 1800 casualties vice 1500 for the Allies. More importantly an additional 41 IJA Engineer squads were destroyed. The IJA Armored spearhead is now just one hex away from Meiktila (SP?) Rest of the units including almost all the BF are getting clear.

A RNN sub attacked a TF just north of the Makassar Straits. Could this be the Java invasion? I included as much of the theater as I could on the image to give my readers an idea how little Larry has conquered thus far.

Also was prerusing the intel reports and got some nuggets. First BB Hyuga and CA Kinugasa are both listed as sunk now for over two months. Second, sad to say the AVG version of Greg Boyington is KIA (died fighting over Rangoon with two kills) Thats okay because he is coming back in the USMC version - odd, that sounds vaguely familiar

[vettim89]

19-20 May 1942.

The above mentioned TF passes over no fewere than three Allied subs with no attacks and is now in the Java Sea between Bandjermasin and Soerabaja. I suspect it will hit Bandjermasin next turn.

IJA tries a Deliberate attack at Chuhsien which comes off 1:2 and costs the Japanese 1900 casualties offset by 1200 Allied. If I had some supply in this hex, it would probably be a stalemate with present forces. Without supply, the Chinese defense will like crumble soon. I-Boat off Auckland again sinks two xAK. I-Boat and possible SSX at Sydney harassed by Allied ASW. I-boat previously seen off Perth is gone - that boat may have been roughed up by LBA ASW.

IJN CVTF disappears. My CVTF safe at Madras. Thinking of AB's avatar right now.

[vettim89]

21 May 1942

Busy turn. IJN CVTF is spotted ENE of Java. My PT boats intercepted a TF just south of Bandjermasin. Not much damage to the transports but the TF retreated from combat towards Balikpapan. A Falcon FB group put one 50 kg Bomb into an AK also (The Dutch finally hit something but its with a louse 50 kg bomb!!!) There is a third TF west of Soerabaja. Suspect this is a SCTF.

NE of Oosthaven, the handwritin is on the wall for my isolated stack. Deliberate attack causes 300 casualties. At Rangoon another Deliberate attack at Rangoon. Forts are reduced but another "ouch" moment for IJA engineers.

Japanese ground losses:
2169 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 99 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 54 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 13 (4 destroyed, 9 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
736 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 45 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 21 (17 destroyed, 4 disabled)

[vettim89]

22 May 1942

The unidentified TF is a MSW TF which arrives at Semerang this turn. It tangles with a RNN PT Boat TF which only results in me losing two PTs. Dozens of Dutch Matin bombers sortie and miss. The Falcon Sq at Soerobaja gets two more 50 kg hits. At least one Japanese ship sinks this turn. An IJN SCTF based around two BBs bombards Bandjermasin and the net result is the BF there is DESTROYED!!!!!!!![X(]. That is a first for me where a Naval Bombardment elminates a unit.

Elswhere on the map, TF leaves Sydney to pick up two RGT of America and a Tank BTNl. The last RGT plus 27th ID is about a week out of Auckland. I should have three CVs to escort this group into Noumea. Now that I am not saving PP to free up the 41st ID, I am able to free two CB and a BF this turn. The CBs go south while the BF will eventually head to Unmak Island. I will use the two remaining CVs that are at the WC to escort the BF and some infantry up to the NoPac.

I set my first offensive objective today as 2nd Marine Div (with CPT Brett Castlebury) is set to Renell Island as its new target. Before that, I pan to occupy and build up the New Hebrides and likely Ndeni

[vettim89]

23 May 1942

IJA comes ashore at Semerang. Lots of disablements on the combat report. Two addition TFs with transports are approaching. No idea of what the final force will look like as of yet. There were nearly 50 sorties by Martin bombers today for no hits. PG Isabell died an honorable death trying to interfere.

USS Salmon found a working torpedo and hig a big tanker off Balikpapan. Likely will make port safely. Exmoth is approaching a Level 2 Port which should allow me to operate subs there effectively.

The Gurka BGD is nearly lifted out of Magwe. The evacuation process went nearly flawlessly. An IJA ARM unit has arrived at Prome cutting the Prome-Magwe Road. All other units will have to fight their way out. All the BF have made it to the safety of NE Burma. Should not lose any of those precious units.

[vettim89]

24 May 1942

The Dutch AF impales itself against the IJN CVTF. One attack had 30 Martin bombers go in for no hits!. No attacks at all against the invasion force. Interestingly, the CVTF is made up of four CVL plus one or two CVs. Where are the rest of the IJN CVS?

Semerang falls. My PT boats did put a TT into a IJN Cl but that is all. My Dutch stack NE of Oosthaven retreated (????) Huh, The Japanese hold all the bases in southern Sumatra. How did these guys find a retreat path. Must be hexside control.

If that weren't bad enough, Rangoon Falls under a shock attack and Prome falls to the Imp Guards. This effectively traps the 1st Burma Div and 4 Ind BGDs that were holding Rangoon. Will try to bushwhack them out but not keeping my hopes up. The Gurka BGD has been lifted out except for one ENG Veh and eight 18 pd guns. The fragment will try to get out across country.

[witpqs]

Given the advanced game date (for invasion of the DEI) I'm curious how well trained are your Dutch pilots?

[vettim89]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Given the advanced game date (for invasion of the DEI) I'm curious how well trained are your Dutch pilots?

All at least in the 60s with some in the 70s for NavBomb skill at appropriate altitude. EXP is still below 50 in most of the units though

[witpqs]

Well that's pretty good.

[vettim89]

24 May 1942

Well the Dutch AF went after unloading transports and hit none. However, they did put a 300 kg bomb into a CA that is now on fire. However,

Sub attack near Semarang at 54,100

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
BB Kongo
CA Mogami
CS Nisshin
DD Makigumo
DD Fuyo
DD Nokaze
DD Minazuki

Allied Ships
SS KXIII, hits 2 (A little dinged but stays on station)


Ammo storage explosion on CVL Ryujo
SS KXIII launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Ryujo
KXIII bottoming out ....

DD Nokaze attacking submerged sub ....
DD Nokaze is out of ASW ammo
DD Nokaze is out of ASW ammo
DD Nokaze is out of ASW ammo
DD Nokaze fails to find sub, continues

Don't know how serious this is, but I suspect it will mean yard time. More subs pouring into a very target rich environment.

Game will go on pause as my opponent has some very serious family matters confronting him.

(Edit: some how got my dates jumbled a little. This is the actual report for the 24th)

[vettim89]

25 May 1942

The turn starts with SS Shark attempting to hit a DD in a REPL TF. The TT fail to detonate and Shark suffers moderate damage. I-121 was roughed up by a RN DD off Diamond Harbor. One hit was penetrating and gave an internal explosion critical message. I suspect the sub is a goner.

The Dutch AF continues to try to interfere with landings on Java. They didn't go after the CVTF this turn instead forcusing on a SCTF with two BBs in it. No hits, lots of damaged Dutch a/c. I think the total sorties off Java was apparoachign 70 attack aircraft. I got 4 50 kg hits on the Japanese LSD which has heavy fires. Two xAP also got hit. A RNN sub put four TT into a large xAP at Semerang. I believe this ship sunk. Djakarta was occupied.

Ships moving into position to move a stout force to Noumea. CV Saratoga will leave the yard in five days. She will be paired with Yorktown to escort reinforcements to the Dutch Harbor/Unmak area