Sorry, BBFanboy. I thought you were talking about a strategic ambush to retake Palembang/So. Sumatra based on Allied overreaching in the DEI. My apologies.
But, even an attempt to sweep into the islands between Borneo and Sumatra from the west is likely to meet with a sad end for the IJN. No matter how many divisions he has to commit, the IJN has to get them to a target(s). That would only be done thru a rain of Allied bombs and torpedos. Even discounting surface force intervention, that would be a mighty aerial assault on the troop ships. If timed while the Allied CVs are upgrading, such a move would have some chance, but whether CR reaches for Kuching isn't really going to make any difference.
If he comes to fight, he comes to fight...and the Allies are prepared to give him one for sure. But, I agree, it could be done even if at great hazard. Given the IJ commander's past track record regarding engaging in pitched battles on relatively even terms, I would venture to say it will not happen.
Even a snatch and run raid on the newly minted Allied bases on Borneo is going to elict a mighty response from the accumulated Allied aerial forces. Again, the IJN might be able to get enough ashore to recapture a Miri and/or Kuching, but the costs will be frightfully high in my view. I just think the Japanese have decided to go strategically defensive and conserve as much as possible to oppose the eventual Allied attacks.
I'm convinced that the IJ commander has decided to play a hardshell defense in depth game at thsi point. There might be occasional tactical "lashing out", but the switch from the offensibve to defensive has already occurred for the Japanese in this game. CR has totally stifled his opponet.
But, we'll see.
Tokyo Rose was a Hussy! Chez (J) vs. Canoe (A)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
You are probably right princep01. I was just wondering why there was so little IJA/IJN activity lately - like he is saving up for something [and repairing his twisted metal]. If he doesn't draw the line and make a stand in the waters west of Borneo, the DEI are compromised and he would have to make a new line between Mindanao and the DEI. New Guinea will also be hard for Japan to hold.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
JeffK, you still don't get me - I'm not talking about some little incursion. He has been pulling troops back from India and possibly Indochina. His amphib ships have not been active for a while. KB is hiding and he has been holding back his surface ships. There is lots of intel that Cam Rahn Bay is a busy place. I don't know the IJA OOB but if there are 4-5 divisions missing, they could be ready to jump on the still relatively small Allied force in Borneo. A paratroop response would not be enough to kick a division anywhere.
I'm not considering a para attack to kick out anything, at the moment CR's recce is reporting that Kuching is empty. I would grab it, fly in some heavier units and make Chez come into MY ambush of subs, mines,CD guns, airpower and surface fleets.
You think he is going to land 4-5 divs on Kuching???
Take away the force he has locked up in Padang, Burma and various Pacific islands I would be surprised that he had that much to commit.
I reckon he is too wary of getting another bloody nose, and is digging deep bunkers on an inner defensive line.
Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum
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Canoerebel
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
I think Steve could commit as many as ten divisions into a campaign. The difficulty he will have is overcoming his own concerns about getting mired down (I think Pago Pago messed with his mind on this point). If he overcomes his inertia, he could pack strong forces into a titanic amphibious force, but his losses would be immense.
The Allies bases at Pontianak and Ketapang are still small enough and distant enough to be vulnerable, but I think Billiton Island (level five airfield) and Bangka Island (two bases - Toboali and Muntok) are too strongly held and too close to massive support from Sumatra to be really vulnerable at this point.
The Allies are concentrating on securing Pontianak and Ketapang right now. I believe they will be secure by the end of 1942. While this is my major effort, I'm looking at occupying or reinforcing the Allied bases at Singkep, Sampit and Sambas and the apparently vacant IJ base of Kuching. As I do so the garrisons will be at the far end of my LOC and therefore vulnerable for quite some time.
The Allies also have a massive force prepping for Singkawang. I can get them there by landing first at the growing Allied base at Pontianak and then marching two hexes over a yellow road. The two challenges are getting the units from Oosthaven to Pontianak without getting ambushed and also not weakening Sumatra too much. Right now, probably 750 AV at Oosthaven are fully prepped for Singkawang. Back at Cochin, India, a 350-AV division is also prepped for Singkawang. It will cost 1350 PP to buy her. I have 850 accumulated.
So even while Steve sits on his thumbs and does whatever he's doing, the Allies are pouring troops into the Java Sea rim and carefully but strongly expanding. As princep noted, he should have attacked five months ago...and that need to do something increases every day.
The Allies bases at Pontianak and Ketapang are still small enough and distant enough to be vulnerable, but I think Billiton Island (level five airfield) and Bangka Island (two bases - Toboali and Muntok) are too strongly held and too close to massive support from Sumatra to be really vulnerable at this point.
The Allies are concentrating on securing Pontianak and Ketapang right now. I believe they will be secure by the end of 1942. While this is my major effort, I'm looking at occupying or reinforcing the Allied bases at Singkep, Sampit and Sambas and the apparently vacant IJ base of Kuching. As I do so the garrisons will be at the far end of my LOC and therefore vulnerable for quite some time.
The Allies also have a massive force prepping for Singkawang. I can get them there by landing first at the growing Allied base at Pontianak and then marching two hexes over a yellow road. The two challenges are getting the units from Oosthaven to Pontianak without getting ambushed and also not weakening Sumatra too much. Right now, probably 750 AV at Oosthaven are fully prepped for Singkawang. Back at Cochin, India, a 350-AV division is also prepped for Singkawang. It will cost 1350 PP to buy her. I have 850 accumulated.
So even while Steve sits on his thumbs and does whatever he's doing, the Allies are pouring troops into the Java Sea rim and carefully but strongly expanding. As princep noted, he should have attacked five months ago...and that need to do something increases every day.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
CR, I agree, but I do think Chez is "doing something" (before saying more, I have never read his AAR nor any AAR that discusses what he is doing). I think he mentally surrendered the initiative very early in the game. Your spirited use of naval raiders and his preference of splitting his CVs into Divisions and commiting them piecemeal led to several stinging defeats. This, in turn, sapped his fighting spirit. As a result, he drifted a bit in the south and eastern Pacific and has now decided to build his defensive line(s) in earnest.
Perhaps he is a more comfortable player in a defensive role and we will see a different Admiral Chez as you come to grips with his first MLR. Frankly, I hope so, as your conservative playing style makes the AAR slow. It is, at times, like watching an ameba absorp some lesser creature.....an inevitable end result, but oh so slow. I will add this is NOT a criticism of your playing style or writing abilities. Your writing is more than adequate. Your playing style is different from mine, but yours is effective. In fact, your generalship since deciding to build the Palembang position is much like Eisenhower's in Europe. He knew who would win a battle of attrition and typically refused high risk; high reward operations in favor of a broad front advance. Your slow but sure accretion of bases in the heart of the DEI is mindful of that. Soon enough, the Allied bomber fleets will go to work on the remaining sources of his oil in the DEI and Japan will begin to wither away from within. In the meantime, should he grow bolder, you will be on a good position to parry any attack and inflict bloody cuts in the process.
Oh, yes, I will decline comparisons of your generalship to the man who is buried in Grant's tomb:). Carry on.
Perhaps he is a more comfortable player in a defensive role and we will see a different Admiral Chez as you come to grips with his first MLR. Frankly, I hope so, as your conservative playing style makes the AAR slow. It is, at times, like watching an ameba absorp some lesser creature.....an inevitable end result, but oh so slow. I will add this is NOT a criticism of your playing style or writing abilities. Your writing is more than adequate. Your playing style is different from mine, but yours is effective. In fact, your generalship since deciding to build the Palembang position is much like Eisenhower's in Europe. He knew who would win a battle of attrition and typically refused high risk; high reward operations in favor of a broad front advance. Your slow but sure accretion of bases in the heart of the DEI is mindful of that. Soon enough, the Allied bomber fleets will go to work on the remaining sources of his oil in the DEI and Japan will begin to wither away from within. In the meantime, should he grow bolder, you will be on a good position to parry any attack and inflict bloody cuts in the process.
Oh, yes, I will decline comparisons of your generalship to the man who is buried in Grant's tomb:). Carry on.
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
Ouch, comparing a Rebel to Grant - you really know how to hit CR where it hurts, Princep! [:D]
The comparison is apt, however. In many ways, CR's game is more akin to RL, where the fact that the forces engaged were living men tended to discourage high risk Ops (well, except for Patton and the Soviets, both of whom actually did pretty well, albeit with higher losses). It's much easier to hurl pixels to their death than the real thing.
The comparison is apt, however. In many ways, CR's game is more akin to RL, where the fact that the forces engaged were living men tended to discourage high risk Ops (well, except for Patton and the Soviets, both of whom actually did pretty well, albeit with higher losses). It's much easier to hurl pixels to their death than the real thing.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
Princep is also right that we've kind of entered the "amoeba digesting something slowly" stage. But, to be honest, I haven't been particularly cautious. I point to invasions of the Kuriles, Tarawa, Malaya, and western Sumatra, and the occupation in force of Ndeni and Milne Bay, all in 1942 as proof. The Allies established a forward defense in the expectation that the enemy would have to react violenty and would make mistakes in doing so. There have been some mistakes on the enemy's part - primarily committing capital ships piecemeal - but who could have guessed that the enemy would just sit back and refuse to assail positions that have to be assailed.
Steve may have turned turtle, but that won't work. He's going to have to attack eventually given my plan for the game. We won't be sticking our neck out very far, so he's going to have to come and dig me out. And he''ll fail doing so...or perish from lack of fuel if he never tries to do so.
At this point, the ultimate Allied plan is to concentrate on isolating Singapore by the end of the year. Once Singapore is isolated, the Allies will be able to deal with western Sumatra and Burma at relative low cost.
As we reach spring of 1943 the Allies will probably focus on Malaya and Singapore - some or all of this can be done from the west, which will involve considerably less risk that approaching from the Java Sea region. By late 1943 the Allies should be able to bring the war to Thailand and possibly Vietnam. And then, in 1944, to China. All of this can be done without major invasion forces going deep into Indian country, because Japan failed to put the Allies in the position of having to enter Indian country.
The only other major thing I can see happening is activity in the Kuriles. Para should be a level six or seven base by spring 1943, so the Allies will be able to bomb targets on Sikhalin Island and Hokkaido. I'll work that angle as best I can.
Steve may have turned turtle, but that won't work. He's going to have to attack eventually given my plan for the game. We won't be sticking our neck out very far, so he's going to have to come and dig me out. And he''ll fail doing so...or perish from lack of fuel if he never tries to do so.
At this point, the ultimate Allied plan is to concentrate on isolating Singapore by the end of the year. Once Singapore is isolated, the Allies will be able to deal with western Sumatra and Burma at relative low cost.
As we reach spring of 1943 the Allies will probably focus on Malaya and Singapore - some or all of this can be done from the west, which will involve considerably less risk that approaching from the Java Sea region. By late 1943 the Allies should be able to bring the war to Thailand and possibly Vietnam. And then, in 1944, to China. All of this can be done without major invasion forces going deep into Indian country, because Japan failed to put the Allies in the position of having to enter Indian country.
The only other major thing I can see happening is activity in the Kuriles. Para should be a level six or seven base by spring 1943, so the Allies will be able to bomb targets on Sikhalin Island and Hokkaido. I'll work that angle as best I can.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
11/11/42
IJ Capital Ships: An Allied sub reports BBs Kongo, Hiei and Yamato near Cam Ranh Bay in a TF that includes CAs Hagura and Maya. That makes at least four BBs and four CAs operating in the South China Sea. Since the Allies have sunk at least four BB and eight CA, this is a sizeable concentration of power. It doesn't leave many capital ships to help uot with carrier escort or patrol duties in NoPac or CenPac. I also suspect this isn't all of the capital ships operating here. All together, this adds another piece to the puzzle of a concentration of enemy force to move in the DEI.
DEI: Zeros and Vals sortie from Singakawang and sink a KV and damage an xAP at Pontianak despite vigorous opposition from a Marine F4F squadron and Army P-38s. On the day, the Allies got much the better of Japan there and in some aerial skimrishing over Padang. I have to carefully monitor enemy activity, but I'm going to try to get the Singkawang-prepped troops from Oosthaven to Pontianak in order to launch the offensive before the end of the year. Singakwang By Christmas! is the cry in Allied headquarters.
NoPac: More engineers ashore at Paramushiro, whose airfield will go to level four tomorrow. That will allow the Allies to land more supply, which is currently at 73k with a limit of 80k.
Alled CVEs and CVs: Three CVEs are currently on duty in NoPac, one is at Seattle, and Long Island is around Christmas Island (Pacific). Three more arrive shortly and will move from Balboa to Capetown, bound for the DEI where they will eventually help with amphibious operations against western Sumatra. Wasp is currently in NoPac. Victorious is on station near Cocos Island, with Lexington midway between that island and Diego Garcia. Ent, York, Sara, Hornet and Hermes are at Colombo.
IJ Capital Ships: An Allied sub reports BBs Kongo, Hiei and Yamato near Cam Ranh Bay in a TF that includes CAs Hagura and Maya. That makes at least four BBs and four CAs operating in the South China Sea. Since the Allies have sunk at least four BB and eight CA, this is a sizeable concentration of power. It doesn't leave many capital ships to help uot with carrier escort or patrol duties in NoPac or CenPac. I also suspect this isn't all of the capital ships operating here. All together, this adds another piece to the puzzle of a concentration of enemy force to move in the DEI.
DEI: Zeros and Vals sortie from Singakawang and sink a KV and damage an xAP at Pontianak despite vigorous opposition from a Marine F4F squadron and Army P-38s. On the day, the Allies got much the better of Japan there and in some aerial skimrishing over Padang. I have to carefully monitor enemy activity, but I'm going to try to get the Singkawang-prepped troops from Oosthaven to Pontianak in order to launch the offensive before the end of the year. Singakwang By Christmas! is the cry in Allied headquarters.
NoPac: More engineers ashore at Paramushiro, whose airfield will go to level four tomorrow. That will allow the Allies to land more supply, which is currently at 73k with a limit of 80k.
Alled CVEs and CVs: Three CVEs are currently on duty in NoPac, one is at Seattle, and Long Island is around Christmas Island (Pacific). Three more arrive shortly and will move from Balboa to Capetown, bound for the DEI where they will eventually help with amphibious operations against western Sumatra. Wasp is currently in NoPac. Victorious is on station near Cocos Island, with Lexington midway between that island and Diego Garcia. Ent, York, Sara, Hornet and Hermes are at Colombo.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
11/12/42
NoPac: Unloading commences at Onnekotan, which finally has a base force and supply for its garrison. Para's airfield goes to level four, raising the supply capacity to 113k.
SoPac: Today and yesterday, Japan invaded three vacant bases - two near Fiji and the third is Vaitupo.
DEI: Before the Allies send major transport TFs to Pontianak, which is exposed and therefore dangerous, I'm sending cadres of each unit to make sure I can rebuild should something go awry. The pace of this transfer is picking up. "Singkawang by Christmas" remains the objective. I'm also scrounging around trying to find a small unit I can airlift into vacant Sampit, over near Banjermasin. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised to see Yamato and friends pop up tomorrow or the following day. The Allies have two decent CA TFs operating out of Billiton.
NoPac: Unloading commences at Onnekotan, which finally has a base force and supply for its garrison. Para's airfield goes to level four, raising the supply capacity to 113k.
SoPac: Today and yesterday, Japan invaded three vacant bases - two near Fiji and the third is Vaitupo.
DEI: Before the Allies send major transport TFs to Pontianak, which is exposed and therefore dangerous, I'm sending cadres of each unit to make sure I can rebuild should something go awry. The pace of this transfer is picking up. "Singkawang by Christmas" remains the objective. I'm also scrounging around trying to find a small unit I can airlift into vacant Sampit, over near Banjermasin. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised to see Yamato and friends pop up tomorrow or the following day. The Allies have two decent CA TFs operating out of Billiton.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
ORIGINAL: Canoerebel
11/12/42
...
DEI: Before the Allies send major transport TFs to Pontianak, which is exposed and therefore dangerous, I'm sending cadres of each unit to make sure I can rebuild should something go awry. The pace of this transfer is picking up. "Singkawang by Christmas" remains the objective. I'm also scrounging around trying to find a small unit I can airlift into vacant Sampit, over near Banjermasin. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised to see Yamato and friends pop up tomorrow or the following day. The Allies have two decent CA TFs operating out of Billiton.
If you can duplicate Greyjoy's feat of having a PT boat sink Yamato I will be truly impressed! Keep trolling those CAs as bait for the PTs prey! [:'(]
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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CaptBeefheart
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
CR: Regarding the beta upgrade, I wholeheartedly recommend it. I only use search arcs for a few continental bases like Rangoon and never for TFs (that would be ridiculous micromanagement and very apt to go wrong as you forget to adjust the arcs later). This is why:
1) The upgrade offers you 95% fewer clicks to transfer a training squadron's pilots to reserves. Huge timesaver and carpal tunnel preventive.
2) It offers the ability to sort your device stocks by nationality and/or device type. Thus, it's real easy to see how many AIF squads you have left, what your tank picture looks like--just like you can do with aircraft now.
3) A mouseover shows the distance from the selected hex to any hex on the map. What this means is that you can easily figure out what targets are in range of what, how far your B-29s can ferry, etc.
4) You no longer get "21 units" reconned in Singapore, meaning you have no idea how many troops are there--you now see how many troops are reconned regardless of how many units.
5) Numerous other interface improvements which make the game much easier to play, more enjoyable and less time consuming.
Cheers,
CC
1) The upgrade offers you 95% fewer clicks to transfer a training squadron's pilots to reserves. Huge timesaver and carpal tunnel preventive.
2) It offers the ability to sort your device stocks by nationality and/or device type. Thus, it's real easy to see how many AIF squads you have left, what your tank picture looks like--just like you can do with aircraft now.
3) A mouseover shows the distance from the selected hex to any hex on the map. What this means is that you can easily figure out what targets are in range of what, how far your B-29s can ferry, etc.
4) You no longer get "21 units" reconned in Singapore, meaning you have no idea how many troops are there--you now see how many troops are reconned regardless of how many units.
5) Numerous other interface improvements which make the game much easier to play, more enjoyable and less time consuming.
Cheers,
CC
Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.
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Roger Neilson II
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
Pertaining to nothing at all, and probably of no interest to anyone.
Most weekends I spend part of my day standing in front of a portrait of Sarah Hussey Delaval, the original 'owner' of the name, and by repute it was her 'activities' that gave the meaning of the word to our language.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall/
http://www.ntprints.com/image/803382/fr ... humberland
She looks the picture of sweetness and innocence..... but......
Roger
Most weekends I spend part of my day standing in front of a portrait of Sarah Hussey Delaval, the original 'owner' of the name, and by repute it was her 'activities' that gave the meaning of the word to our language.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/seaton-delaval-hall/
http://www.ntprints.com/image/803382/fr ... humberland
She looks the picture of sweetness and innocence..... but......
Roger
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
And now we know the real reason the GI's wanted to get to Tokyo...[;)]
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
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Canoerebel
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
11/13/42 and 11/14/42
War Drums? More enemy activity in the South China Sea and Java Sea region, raising concerns that Japan is up to something big, though still no strong sign of imminent action. SigInt reports a Naval Guard unit bound for Muntok, one of the major Allied bases in the South China Sea, just north of Palembang. The garrison is 270 AV behind three forts. The Allies will strongly oppose an invasion - both by combat TFs and by bombers from Palembang (just two hexes distant) and other bases. Lots of enemy subs working the area (they got an SC and an xAKL on the 13th) with subs mining ports too. Also, SigInt for units prepping for Palembang, as usual.
DEI: The Allies have been successful in sending small but important TFs to Ketapang and, even more importantly, Pontianak. Strong detachments of the Singkawang-prepped units (101 Combat Engineers, 20th and 25th Indian divisions, and 111th Chindits) have arrived. I want to ship the bulk of those units from Oosthaven, but I'm hoping to await the all-clear following the next major enemy incursion via combat TF. Both Pont and Keta airfields just went to level two, which will help considerably in providing local CAP. BBs Washington and South Dakota moved from the Indian Ocean to Oosthaven in expectation of a possible clash developing over Muntok or vicinity.
Burma: The Allies are beating up an IJA regiment at Toungoo that has no path of retreat.
NoPac: More units and more supply safely ashore at Palembang. Supply now at 85k.
War Drums? More enemy activity in the South China Sea and Java Sea region, raising concerns that Japan is up to something big, though still no strong sign of imminent action. SigInt reports a Naval Guard unit bound for Muntok, one of the major Allied bases in the South China Sea, just north of Palembang. The garrison is 270 AV behind three forts. The Allies will strongly oppose an invasion - both by combat TFs and by bombers from Palembang (just two hexes distant) and other bases. Lots of enemy subs working the area (they got an SC and an xAKL on the 13th) with subs mining ports too. Also, SigInt for units prepping for Palembang, as usual.
DEI: The Allies have been successful in sending small but important TFs to Ketapang and, even more importantly, Pontianak. Strong detachments of the Singkawang-prepped units (101 Combat Engineers, 20th and 25th Indian divisions, and 111th Chindits) have arrived. I want to ship the bulk of those units from Oosthaven, but I'm hoping to await the all-clear following the next major enemy incursion via combat TF. Both Pont and Keta airfields just went to level two, which will help considerably in providing local CAP. BBs Washington and South Dakota moved from the Indian Ocean to Oosthaven in expectation of a possible clash developing over Muntok or vicinity.
Burma: The Allies are beating up an IJA regiment at Toungoo that has no path of retreat.
NoPac: More units and more supply safely ashore at Palembang. Supply now at 85k.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
Good luck. If he comes for Muntok I definitely like your odds in air, sea and land phases of the battle.
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
Ah yes, perhaps an opportunity presents itself to put another large dent in the IJ War machine. Any room at the Sumatra bases for those highly trained naval aviators and their deadly SBD abd TBF? It would be really nice to hit him from your unsinkable carriers with those ace CV pilots. Depending on what he deploys and the outcome of the fracas, you might have a springboard for offensive action in the making here.
Good luck. I hope he commits.
Good luck. I hope he commits.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
11/15/42 and 11/16/42
Japanese Invasions: Amphibious attacks against Singkep and Muntok commenced today, but things didn't go well for Japan. The transports came in pretty much naked, while the combat TF and carriers stood back (the CVs very far back, close to their previous position of preference near Kuching). Steve says it was a mix up due to his failure to set the TF to not refuel. That's possible, or it could have been he was aiming for a flack trap. I was guarding against that, so I had my strike aircraft all set to specific ranges. They sortied in commendable numbers with decent but not stellar results. Japan probably will lose five to ten transports on the day. Both of the forces that landed on islands were in bad shape, with less AV than the Allies have at each. Steve did manage to really rough up Palembang's airfield. I typically concentrate my fighter strength at Oosthaven to watch over my fleets, so Palembang is usually open except for plenty of flak.
Tomorrow: Steve has lost surprise and will be concerned about the Allied carriers (though they are in Colombo upgrading). He may pull back, or it's possible this was just phase one of a bigger move. The Allies will react strongly. Two CA TFs will sortie from Billiton to patrol at Muntok. I've restaged quite a few fighter and strike squadrons forward, including two TBF and one Beufort to Djambi, which is close to both invasion bases. A BB/CA TF will move from Oosthaven to Billiton in order to be in position to strike day after tomorrow. Washington and South Dakota will remain at Oosthaven for now. Most of the American 4EB will target Montok, where the infantry and armor will try a deliberate attack. One 4EB squadron will target Singkep, but no ground attack there yet. Once final thing: Once this battle is over, I would expect Japan to pull back to replenish and lick its wounds. That may well open the door to get the big reinforcements from Oost to Pontianak, so they have begun loading.
Summary: It's good to see Japan finally take the offensive - this is the first try at anything since a very small invasion (failed) at Ndeni two months ago. However, this effort is misdirected. While Singkep is important, the real key to everything in this theater now is Singkawang. Steve should be focused and reinforced there. He has just four units 6k strong. If he loses Singka, then what we're fighting over to the southwest becomes irrelevant.
Burma: The Allies liquidated an IJ regiment at Toungoo.
NoPac: Supply continues to come ashore at Onne and Para.
Japanese Invasions: Amphibious attacks against Singkep and Muntok commenced today, but things didn't go well for Japan. The transports came in pretty much naked, while the combat TF and carriers stood back (the CVs very far back, close to their previous position of preference near Kuching). Steve says it was a mix up due to his failure to set the TF to not refuel. That's possible, or it could have been he was aiming for a flack trap. I was guarding against that, so I had my strike aircraft all set to specific ranges. They sortied in commendable numbers with decent but not stellar results. Japan probably will lose five to ten transports on the day. Both of the forces that landed on islands were in bad shape, with less AV than the Allies have at each. Steve did manage to really rough up Palembang's airfield. I typically concentrate my fighter strength at Oosthaven to watch over my fleets, so Palembang is usually open except for plenty of flak.
Tomorrow: Steve has lost surprise and will be concerned about the Allied carriers (though they are in Colombo upgrading). He may pull back, or it's possible this was just phase one of a bigger move. The Allies will react strongly. Two CA TFs will sortie from Billiton to patrol at Muntok. I've restaged quite a few fighter and strike squadrons forward, including two TBF and one Beufort to Djambi, which is close to both invasion bases. A BB/CA TF will move from Oosthaven to Billiton in order to be in position to strike day after tomorrow. Washington and South Dakota will remain at Oosthaven for now. Most of the American 4EB will target Montok, where the infantry and armor will try a deliberate attack. One 4EB squadron will target Singkep, but no ground attack there yet. Once final thing: Once this battle is over, I would expect Japan to pull back to replenish and lick its wounds. That may well open the door to get the big reinforcements from Oost to Pontianak, so they have begun loading.
Summary: It's good to see Japan finally take the offensive - this is the first try at anything since a very small invasion (failed) at Ndeni two months ago. However, this effort is misdirected. While Singkep is important, the real key to everything in this theater now is Singkawang. Steve should be focused and reinforced there. He has just four units 6k strong. If he loses Singka, then what we're fighting over to the southwest becomes irrelevant.
Burma: The Allies liquidated an IJ regiment at Toungoo.
NoPac: Supply continues to come ashore at Onne and Para.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
Allies liquidated an IJ regiment at Toungoo.
This style rhetoric is best saved for WITE.[:-]
RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
"WitE"....what an ugly thing to say in here, Zulu:).
Nice job CR. Japan fritters away more assets. Not enough to really set the stage for an immediate strategic counter-attack, but a tactical one will be successful against those Japanese troops that did land.
Good hunting.
Nice job CR. Japan fritters away more assets. Not enough to really set the stage for an immediate strategic counter-attack, but a tactical one will be successful against those Japanese troops that did land.
Good hunting.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Das darf nicht var sein!
11/17/42
Battle of Muntok: In come BBs Kongo, Hiei, and Yamato, along with four CAs and a variety of CLs and DDs to mix it up with two relatively small Allied CA/DD TFs. The Allied TFs perform much better, doing enough damage to keep some enemy capital ships out of action for quite some time:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,90, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Yamato, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Tone
CA Takao, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Maya, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Abukuma
DD Kazegumo
DD Takanami
DD Yukikaze
DD Maikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 10, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Ceres, Shell hits 1
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 1
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1
DD Nizam
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 67% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 8,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,90, Range 7,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
BB Yamato, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CA Takao, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CA Maya, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CL Sendai, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Naka, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Abukuma
DD Kazegumo
DD Takanami
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
CL Dauntless
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Decoy, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Encounter
DD Express, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Fortune, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Foxhound, Shell hits 2, on fire
Following the surface combat, some of the Allied ships continued on and mixed it up with the transport TFs, sinking at least five xAK and a vareity of escorts. During the daylight hours, Allied strike aircraft damaged and sank more transports and put three one-thousand pounders into a Japanese CL. On the day, the Allies lost CA Indianapolis and two DDs. Both Allied commanders, Ching Lee and the RN's Boyd, survived. At the end of the day, the Allied ground forces attacked, got high 1 to 1 odds, but took more damage. Over at Singkep, the Japanese forces tried a shock attack that failed miserably at 1:4 odds.
Impact: While Japan has landed enough troops at Muntok and Singkep to force a lengthy ground campaign, the blows Japan has suffered at sea should have some important ramifications. In the short term, I think the Aliles will be able to land the bulk of their expeditionary army at Pontiak to then move on Singkawang in strength. In the longer term, this will stretch Japan's capital ships even further, making it that much harder for Japan to try anything offensive in the DEI and probably even in NoPac. Japan probably won't lose any capital ships as a result of this action, but it really has gone about as badly for Japan as it possibly could.
Battle of Muntok: In come BBs Kongo, Hiei, and Yamato, along with four CAs and a variety of CLs and DDs to mix it up with two relatively small Allied CA/DD TFs. The Allied TFs perform much better, doing enough damage to keep some enemy capital ships out of action for quite some time:
Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,90, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Hiei, Shell hits 1
BB Yamato, Shell hits 6, on fire
CA Tone
CA Takao, Shell hits 1, on fire
CA Maya, Shell hits 3, on fire
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3, on fire
CL Sendai
CL Naka
CL Abukuma
DD Kazegumo
DD Takanami
DD Yukikaze
DD Maikaze
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
CA Devonshire, Shell hits 10, on fire
CL De Ruyter
CL Ceres, Shell hits 1
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Dunlap, Shell hits 1
DD Drayton, Shell hits 1
DD Nizam
Maximum visibility in Overcast Conditions and 67% moonlight: 8,000 yards
Range closes to 20,000 yards...
Range closes to 14,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 14,000 yards
Range closes to 8,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allies radar detects Japanese task force at 8,000 yards
Allies open fire on surprised Japanese ships at 8,000 yards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Muntok at 50,90, Range 7,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
BB Hiei, Shell hits 2
BB Yamato, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires
CA Tone, Shell hits 1
CA Takao, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
CA Maya, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CA Haguro, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
CL Sendai, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Naka, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Abukuma
DD Kazegumo
DD Takanami
DD Yukikaze, Shell hits 2
DD Maikaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Tokitsukaze, Shell hits 1
DD Urakaze
Allied Ships
CA Portland, Shell hits 1
CA Indianapolis, Shell hits 23, and is sunk
CL Dauntless
CL Caradoc, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Tjerk Hiddes
DD Decoy, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Encounter
DD Express, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
DD Fortune, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Foxhound, Shell hits 2, on fire
Following the surface combat, some of the Allied ships continued on and mixed it up with the transport TFs, sinking at least five xAK and a vareity of escorts. During the daylight hours, Allied strike aircraft damaged and sank more transports and put three one-thousand pounders into a Japanese CL. On the day, the Allies lost CA Indianapolis and two DDs. Both Allied commanders, Ching Lee and the RN's Boyd, survived. At the end of the day, the Allied ground forces attacked, got high 1 to 1 odds, but took more damage. Over at Singkep, the Japanese forces tried a shock attack that failed miserably at 1:4 odds.
Impact: While Japan has landed enough troops at Muntok and Singkep to force a lengthy ground campaign, the blows Japan has suffered at sea should have some important ramifications. In the short term, I think the Aliles will be able to land the bulk of their expeditionary army at Pontiak to then move on Singkawang in strength. In the longer term, this will stretch Japan's capital ships even further, making it that much harder for Japan to try anything offensive in the DEI and probably even in NoPac. Japan probably won't lose any capital ships as a result of this action, but it really has gone about as badly for Japan as it possibly could.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.