The Hive - Cruft PBEM (Japan, Scen 2 Beta + Stacking Limits)

[Captain Cruft]

Fuel/Oil Stocks

Quantities > 50k tons as at Nov 14 1942:-

Code: Select all

 Tokyo          997k fuel + 896k oil
 Osaka          997k fuel + 965k oil
 Kobe           121k fuel + 438k oil
 Port Arthur    876k fuel + 149k oil  
 
 Shimonoseki    272k fuel
 Palembang      270k fuel
 Singapore      239k fuel 
 Truk           153k fuel
 Ominato        136k fuel
 Pescadores     105k fuel
 Hakodate       103k fuel
 Medan          100k fuel
 Ulithi          97k fuel
 Nagoya          97k fuel
 Guam            86k fuel
 Fukuoka         85k fuel
 Babeldoab       75k fuel
 Manila          71k fuel
 Balikpapan      63k fuel
 Hirosaki        59k fuel
 Cam Ranh Bay    50k fuel
 

[Captain Cruft]

A refresh of the industry screen as per Nov 14 1942.

I am not feeling anything like "poor" at this point.

[Captain Cruft]

Re-think ...

After looking at the map I do have some spare BFs I can move into upper Thailand to support some Swarming. I had scattered my av support so enthusiastically in SE Asia that I had forgotten where it all was ...

So, these moves will be put in hand. It should take about a week to get them in place.

All the bases in Burma below Mandalay are within 6 hexes of Chiang Mai, which will be the main base involved initially, and apart from Taung Gyi and Toungoo they are all clear hexes. Tojos at Rangoon and Pegu will help with the air fighting.

[Captain Cruft]

Nov 16 1942

The Canton Swarm has relocated to upper Thailand. Due to the Oscar's long range, the planes could simply up sticks and fly over in a single day. The 9 airgroups are split between Chiang Mai (4), Rahaeng (1), Uttaradit (1) & Pisanuloke (3). An Air HQ is already present at Chiang Mai and one is on its way to Pisanuloke.

Note though that this is only about half the available 1st Air Army airgroups available. The rest will remain in China for the time being, but not practicing Swarm tactics, just being normal fighters.

-----
Meanwhile, over in New Guinea, the Allies have sneaked another landing at Vanimo. I now have recon groups set up for Hollandia and Vanimo using super long-range Irvings and Judies flying out of Yap. These airbases, which are currently at size 1, could host 4Es with the potential of addressing various places including the KB's current abode of Ulithi. So I need to be watchful.

Here is a pic of the search arcs in this vicinity. Most of this search is being perform by Netties, only a single Mavis group is involved which is at Satawal (the dot base between Truk and Woleai).

[Captain Cruft]

I have just decided to despatch an experimental EUBanana style submarine wolf-pack from Kwajalein to contest these waters.

In addition, I have just noticed what a superb little well-protected JR base Ternate can be. So I will move an air flotilla from Kendari to there, along with some engineers to get the place up to snuff.

[obvert]

I'm really curious to see the long-term implications here. I do remember that only the Hive matters, but the Hive needs nectar to make honey! [;)]

I guess if you wanted to you could post the KB near the DEI until mid-43 and ward off any attempts that way, just giving the Pacific a pass. If the Hive is the only thing, I'd just think those bees would want to protect their flower patch.

[obvert]

duplicate. sorry

[Captain Cruft]

Just noticed ...

A large stack of "22 units" is approaching Nanyang from the NW. This looks a repeat of the previous advance on Loyang, which was beaten off by air attack. Perhaps he thinks that this time because he is in the woods he will be OK? I don't know about that, but if and when the stack arrives in Nanyang, where we have two divisions and a corps HQ behind level 5 forts, I believe that my air should be able to deal him enough damage to render an assault on his part useless.

[Captain Cruft]

Mr obvert,

I am not just going to cede the DEI. Of course I will fight for it, just not in a "decisive" manner [;)]

The other thing is I really don't think he has any intention of going there, or at least not soon. His attention seems focused on New Guinea and Burma. Apart from that, none of the Northern Australia bases have been built beyond their starting values except Darwin. Hardly the optimal spring board.

[Captain Cruft]

Nov 17 1942

The stack approaching Nanyang has been recce'd and also bombed (slightly).

[Captain Cruft]

Meanwhile, over in New Guinea I am attempting to set up a small trap should he try to extend the perimeter beyond Hollandia or indeed sneak into Hollandia or Vanimo again using Fast Transport.

The patrolling SCTF you can see is composed of CL Agano and 4 DDs. I am interested to see how well this first of the modern Japanese cruisers performs in battle.

Of course if any of the nearby Allied airbases should go to size 2 and sprout some bombers we will high tail it out of there pronto.

The sub in the picture is I-20, which pleased me greatly today by putting a torpedo into an APD returning from the Vanimo landing and then proceeded to survive the subsequent ASW attack unscathed.

[Saros]

Well I gotta admit I have never had anything but terrible performances from IJN light cruisers. The CA's on the other hand are monsters.

[Captain Cruft]

Nov 18 1942

The Chinese mega-stack has arrived at Nanyang, where next turn it will receive significant aerial ordnance delivered by various means from several airbases.

Those LCUs which you can see proceeding towards Nanyang are Ind Tank Rgts, which ought to bolster the defence quite well as it's a clear hex.

I am guessing that he will go for a quick coup de main via Shock Attack since he undoubtedly knows that I will be bombing his ass. We will see what happens next turn ...

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Saros

Well I gotta admit I have never had anything but terrible performances from IJN light cruisers. The CA's on the other hand are monsters.

True generally, but the Agano and Oyoda are better. Nothing close to a Boise of course, but better than the starting Cl's IJN gets.

[Schlemiel]

In my experience against the AI (I know, I know), I'm not sure a shock attack when you are expecting to be bombed in the right choice, especially with a larger stack.  It seems to heavily drive up disruption levels the few times I've tried it (admittedly against tough terrain instead of clear, bu still) before the battle and result in a net lower av than deliberate attack would have.  I'll be curious to see what happens.

[Captain Cruft]

Nov 19 1942

Well it was a Deliberate Attack.

I am far from expert at ground combat but I would say that it looks like Nanyang is fairly safe. I will continue to bomb there though just in case. Also it's good practise for the proto-Swarm in that area.


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Ground combat at Nanyang (85,45)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 112431 troops, 766 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 4447

Defending force 26559 troops, 196 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 942

Allied adjusted assault: 1170

Japanese adjusted defense: 1558

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 5)

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

Japanese ground losses:
1431 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 132 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 23 disabled
Vehicles lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3357 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 710 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 61 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 55 disabled
Guns lost 40 (1 destroyed, 39 disabled)


Assaulting units:
82nd Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
3rd Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese Cavalry Corps
19th Chinese Corps
41st Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
71st Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
4th Construction Regiment
6th Group Army
3rd Group Army
31st Group Army
2nd Group Army
5th War Area
18th Group Army
21st Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
35th Division
13th Tank Regiment
41st Division
12th Army

[Captain Cruft]

Over in Burma he has air-dropped a Chindit brigade on Ramree Island. This base, when developed, will bring his short-range British fighters within range of Rangoon. A good move.

I have scheduled the first Swarm attack in this theatre for next turn. Around 60 Oscars will sortie from Chiang Mai to attack the LCU stack to the W of Shwebo at 100ft. Tojos from the same base will sweep at 20,000ft, hopefully simultaneously. Losses may be quite high, and it's at extended range so 30kg bombs instead of 250kg, but the main purpose is to test the British flak not to seriously damage him.

[Captain Cruft]

Nov 20 1942

The Chinese retreat from Nanyang ...

[Captain Cruft]

The Swarm vs. the Brits ...

Negligible results for 16 planes lost due to flak and op losses. Not good, but about as expected. The conclusion is, amass more planes and only attack if you can equip the 250kg bomb.


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Morning Air attack on 2nd British Division, at 58,45 , near Shwebo

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 112

Allied aircraft
Mohawk IV x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 1 destroyed, 49 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 6 destroyed by flak

Allied aircraft losses
P-40K Warhawk: 1 destroyed

Allied ground losses:
34 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Aircraft Attacking:
27 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb
25 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb
24 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb
27 x Ki-43-IIa Oscar bombing from 100 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 30 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
No.155 Sqn RAF with Mohawk IV (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(2 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 18000
Raid is overhead
23rd FG/75th FS with P-40K Warhawk (3 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Raid is overhead

Also attacking 14th British Brigade ...
Also attacking 16th Indian Brigade ...
Also attacking 2nd British Division ...
Also attacking 14th British Brigade ...
Also attacking 16th Indian Brigade ...

[FDRLincoln]

What kind of experience and skill ratings do these Oscar pilots have?