Wild Sheep Chase - obvert (J) vs JocMeister (A)

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I'm a bit surprised.  By this time, my SC's are regularly attacking subs and getting a hit or two each time.  Do you have enough naval search going on to get the sub DL's high?  For my high traffic areas, I will have at least 2 and many time 3 or 4 overlapping search arcs so that a sub is getting spotted several times each turn.  Once the sub DL's are above 6, my SC's are quite effective ... even those slow 10kt ones.

There is a good set of overlapping ASW air in he HI, and another around the Singapore, Palembang, Singkawang triangle. Other choke points have good ASW air as well.

It will be better in a week or so when the Helen group is finished training to 70 ASW. This will be split in three groups and used in the HI. Jakes and Kates are also operating here.

The DL is pretty high of all of these subs the CHa sub chasers in the HI waters are finding and not attacking. There may be several factors involved, I guess. One is that there are just no good commanders to put on them once all of the PBs have been converted and the poorest of their captains replaced. Maybe it'll just take time to improve crew and captain experience, get more ASW air units operating, and put more of these groups together. I'll try a few new patrols and see if that helps.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Saros

Most of the SC only have Type-95 DC racks which are utterly useless in deep water. They can do okay in shallow water but in my experience unless the ships has the newer Type-2 DC there is no point sending them after subs in deep water. Even then the deeper diving subs can often get below the Type-2's as well so nearly all IJN ASW kills will occur in shallow water. Sallies/Helens do okay once you have trained their pilots in ASW. Not many kills outright from the 250Kg hits but you occasionally get the subs sinking on the way home or multiple hits will accumulate across a day or two.

This is what I'm hoping for! A lot of Jakes will be used in ASW, which I know won't kill them, but have good range and can operate from dot bases and small islands. Just the constant maintenance of sending injured subs back and forth will reduce operations significantly I hope.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]18 May 1942[/font]
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subs: Sargo goes after another convoy near Truk but gets two PBs in the sights instead of the cargo ships and misses both. No DC attack. Swordfish catches one of our fast transport groups but can't get a shot off before being sighted and forced under. No hits on the sub. Plunger gets two shots off at CHa-29 near Ominato, missing with both. The small ship can't find the sub to make an attack.

So Pac: The KB sees nothing more in the south seas today and so will turn north to Canton to refuel. Two newly converted AKE have been installed in the Gilberts, one at Tarawa and one at Tabituaea, just in case we need to top up stores. So far the KB is only half through it's ordinance on this excursion, and has only used one torpedo strike.

DEI: Units are moving into place. Saumlaki is becoming quite a bustling hub. The first elements of the Raiding unit are here. An SNLF is on the way, as are an AF Coy and eventually a Rgt from Batavia that has been healing up and acting as garrison there.

China: Three tank units get closer to Hami today, again pushing back the Chinese brigade, which is going to be destroyed soon. These units will keep pushing until they meet strong resistance or run to far out to get supply.

There is no opposition to air raids in Tuyun and Chungking in spite of the fact my opponent has notified me he has managed to extract the AVG from Kienko, where it was stuck for a while without supply. I expect to see it soon, and therefore I'm trying to make sure all sweep and escort mission are doubled up just in case.
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]19 May 1942[/font]
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subs: Halibut takes two shots at our ASW TF near Izu Oshima. Both miss but the PBs can't find the sub to attack. This is consistent with what's been happening in spite of high DLs and multiple sightings. Subs have also been moving through the minefield set on these islands, which isn't right. There are about 100 mines on each one with an ACM and fuel in each.

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Sub attack near Izu Oshima at 113,63

Japanese Ships
PB Shanan Maru #16
PB Choun Maru #7
PB Bisan Maru #3
PB Hinode Maru #17

Allied Ships
SS Halibut

SS Halibut launches 2 torpedoes at PB Shanan Maru #16
Halibut diving deep ....
PB Shanan Maru #16 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Hinode Maru #17 fails to find sub and abandons search
PB Shanan Maru #16 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shanan Maru #16 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shanan Maru #16 fails to find sub, continues to search...
PB Shanan Maru #16 fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

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CM Shiritaka

Mines: I feel I'm just beginning to understand how to use these devices. Having a good store for momentary use seems important. Even when there are ACMs in the base they slowly degrade, and the ACMs seem to take a lot of fuel in certain base south of Tokyo. So far most mining has taken place at big ports in China and the DEI, and Tulagi and Rabaul in So Pac.

I have no idea if offensive mining is worth it, but I've got several hundred type 88 sitting around waiting for subs to drop them. I'm sending two subs with 50 mines to Esperance, hoping to catch a few ships that might flee Perth after the last attack and in light of the bombing we'll begin in the area once Broome is captured.

So Pac: Another Catalina zapped on the KB CAP.

DEI: All is ready at Saumlaki. The 1st Raiding para-unit will drop on Daly Waters tomorrow. 27 Tinas and 18 Thalias will do the flying part. Nells will bomb Katherine's field, and Oscars will sweep.

At Padang the 3 Dutch units there have a combined AV shown as 58 in the combat report. In the replay during bombardment it is shown as zero. I assume this means they have no supply and will be easily pushed aside. Bombers continue to hit the them, and we'll DA soon.

West Australia: The extra base force and engineer unit have arrived in Carnarvon, as has the Mini-KB and it's Oilers. The AKE is still on the way, a day out. As there is no field here yet we'll have to leave the Mini-KB floating around but will put two ASW TFs in the hex as well.

China: Jocke does indeed set a blocking army on the river crossing for the yellow road up from Kweilin. The units transferring out of Tuyun will therefore head to Chansha and move up to Changten to prepare for an assault on Chihkiang.

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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]20 May 1942[/font]
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West Australia: The 1st Raiding Rgt takes Daly Waters! There is no opposition or any fighters in Katherine to interdict transport flights. The Thalias will now carry supply while the Tinas work on getting the rest of the troops flown in here.

A 14 AV AF Coy is on the way to Wyndham, which recon shows to be unoccupied. This base has a level 1 airfield in place and will be used to station 9 zeros for LR CAP of Daly Waters and possibly for a second transport station for supplies or troops.

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Ground combat at Daly Waters (76,131)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 307 troops, 3 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 19

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 19 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Daly Waters !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+), leaders(-)

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1
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So Pac: The KB reaches Canton Is and will sit here for a few days to refuel.

China: Bombing continues unopposed. Units are rounding the Liuchow rail hub and moving to Chnagsha.

The almost destroyed Lusu War Area Chinese HQ continues to make a nuissance of itself. It has moved over the rail line between Henyang and Changsha. A Brigade is moving in to take it off.
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]21 May 1942[/font]
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subs: There seem to be fewer subs in the DEI right now. Not sure if this has anything to do with the recent attack on Perth or not, or if they're here and we're not seeing them.

West Australia: The transport goes well with no interference today again. 19 supply is in the base and the 1st Raiding is 2/3 there.

So Pac: The small SNLF unit at Lord Howe island has nearly been completely extracted back to Koumac. A small AF Coy with Mavis has been installed at least temporarily at Funafuti to keep and eye out around here.

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China: A few Sallys have been lost to flak this week at Chungking. I forgot to raise their altitude after being able to bomb anywhere else in China at 6,000ft. We'll try 10,000 here to see if that's better.

DEI: Bombing takes 4-5 squads off the units at Padang every day. The SNLF here has almost healed up from its tumultuous post-bonus unprepped landing, and will attack soon.

PI: the 4 TBs should move back into Busuanga to try to finish off the MTB and PT TFs here. They won't be at full strength, so this might be easier than previously. Also, it's now around 60% moonlight which should help our gun direction.
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[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]22 May 1942[/font]
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subs: Near Singapore two DDs drop one non-penetrating hit on KXV.

West Australia: Recon shows 12 fighters at Katherine today and sure enough two transports were intercepted going to Daly Waters. Strangely, neither plane was destroyed. The AF Coy landed today at Wyndham, so this base will be running soon. In the meantime we're still trying to get our Nells to bomb Katherine. For the past 3 days they've been ordered to go there and none have flown.

Port Hedland was invaded with a partially prepped SNLF losing half it's troops to disablements, but facing only a base force here. It'll rest up for a few days before attacking.

We make the perhaps dubious decision to send the Mini-KB reinforced now by CV Junyo back toward Perth. The fighters at Katherine show that the Allies interests may be diverted, and they may not realize we can mount another strike so quickly due to the support ships sent to Carnarvon. Two ASW TFs will move out in front of the precious ACTF and the SCTF with it.

So Pac: Nothing seems to be moving anywhere here, but I suspect if it is it's been directed to the far south. This is also exactly where we're directing our subs to patrol.

China: Finally some planes fly up at Chungking. 50 P-40E come up to meet our 3rd Ku S-1 sweep of 29 zeros. The report shows this to be the 1st and 2nd squadrons of the AVG. The zeros have the upper hand early but take some hits later in the combat. A second group of 12 zeros on LR CAP meet 22 P-40s, each side losing 4 planes just before the bomber strike arrives.

The Oscar escort performs well, as 24 Oscars meet a CAP of 7 weary AVG pilots and keep all of the bombers safe while downing 3 AVG planes for the loss of 5 Oscars. A final wave of bombers goes in alone but there are still 3 LR CAPing zeros to ward off the lone P-40 left in the sky.

All in all a good day for the Empire. The best the Allies have still can't stop our strike and loses more planes on the day. 17 P-40s are lost to A to A or to ops. We lose 9 zeros and 5 Oscars total.

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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 39 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 29

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 50


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 5 destroyed

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 17000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 17 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 26 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 3 destroyed

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
5 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters between 17000 and 25000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 28 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
13 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 19000 and 22900.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 41 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Chungking , at 76,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 37 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 14
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 16
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 24


Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 2 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed


Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
AVG/1st Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 17000 , scrambling fighters to 22000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 49 minutes
AVG/2nd Sqn with P-40E Warhawk (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 20000 and 24000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 64 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers

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DEI: A mass of big ships is waiting at Tilityap for the invasion of either Darwin or some base near Perth. 3 BB, 4 CA, 3 CL and a number of destroyers and escorts are here with some of the best transports the IJN have. Two divisions, an HQ and a Rgt are prepping for Darwin.

PI: The TBs did well against a TF of 8 MTBs at Busuanga, sinking 4 of them. They'll head back to babeldaob to reload, then come back to see if they can finish off the rest.

Tanks are loading in Naga bound for transport to Carnarvon. I'll of course choose a different destination before they leave and use waypoints. They are scheduled to help push down to Geraldton.

Burma: Not much has been happening in Burma, but today two british fighter groups try their luck sweeping Katha. This was a kind of CAP trap as the now small Tojo group was moved here with its 3 planes. I'm sure seeing this Jocke thought it would be a good opportunity to strike. This was really a test of our wide CAP setting, all Oscars in the area on 50% CAP 20% rest at 10 hexes. They did well with 22 Oscars and 3 Tojos meeting 11 Hurricanes in the first sweep. After this 16 Oscars and the 3 Tojo met another 11 Hurricanes.

On the day we lost 7 Oscars to 11 Hurricanes. We'll take that rate any time we can get it. The Tojos did well, getting 2 kills. Can't wait for more of them. Too bad he didn't follow with bombers today!

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Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 33 NM, estimated altitude 21,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 22
Ki-44 Tojo x 3

Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 3 destroyed


CAP engaged:
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(9 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 4 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(13 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 9 being recalled, 4 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 36 minutes
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44 Tojo (2 airborne, 0 on standby, 1 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters to 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 8 minutes

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Morning Air attack on Katha , at 61,43

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 16
Ki-44 Tojo x 3



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 11


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed



CAP engaged:
47th I.F.Chutai with Ki-44 Tojo (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 13000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 21 minutes
64th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
7 plane(s) not yet engaged, 1 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 9000 and 10000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 22 minutes
11th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (0 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 6000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 13000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 66 minutes

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[PaxMondo]

You are really cycling turns fast.  Wow.  I can't even come close in my AI game.  [X(]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

You are really cycling turns fast.  Wow.  I can't even come close in my AI game.  [X(]

Tell me about it! Jocke was out of work ill for over a week and we did 3 a day, which means I was continually about 10-15 days behind in the AAR. A lot of people like the distance, but this takes away from my ability to remember details and think about the turns in a more strategic manner, posing questions about what I'm contemplating rather than just reporting.

So now after a weekend flurry I'm caught up to only 3 days behind game time. I have a few more pics I'll be adding today and getting some analysis into these next posts. I hope people chime in because I really do need some help deciding a few things during the next month.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]SW Australia[/font]
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These maps are from yesterday as the Junyo TF approaches Carnarvon and the Wyndham invasion nears its destination.

The plan is to build Carnarvon quickly into a level 2 airfield that can handle zero sweeps and escorts toward Perth and Dinah recon of the area. It's just reaching level 1 now.

Tanks from the PI are loading now to arrive here within two weeks. In the meantime the SNLF unit will push toward Geraldton, slowly down this dirt track. Once Geraldton is acquired this will be the base to drop other troops and supplies and from which the tanks will race toward the end of the rail line in Kalgoorlie. If this can be taken before more troops arrive in OZ or are sent from the Eastern cities, Perth should be a reachable target for conquest with two Divisions and armor.

Recon will be key. How far the IJA and IJN advance will be determined by how much force is brought into the area by the Allies. It seems not much has been happening with troops moving to OZ, but they could have eluded our sub scouts and moved into Melbourne and Adelaide from NZ and Cape Town. My instinct tells me that most reinforcements are still in NZ, Fiji, and in deeper So Pac, as well as in India and off map bases.

An SNLF will be sent to Esperance once all of the West coast bases are secured. These appear to be empty, so this might be within the week. I checked the roads by setting bells to bomb in succession all along, and there are three separate units at least moving between Derby and Katherine, plus another approaching Daly Waters from Tennant Creek 2 hexes away. Nells are now set to bomb this at 16 hex range. Not sure they'll agree, but it would give good intel and slow them if they do.

Hopefully the Mini-KB will be able to stand off out of sight and then move back in to support this operation. I can't remember offhand what might be stationed in the beginning down here, so I'll have to check that out and see what we're up against before pulling the trigger on that one. Also, G3M3s from Broome and Mavis moving in from Cocos might be able to get enough recon data to make a decision there.

[font="Times New Roman"]Questions[/font]

My main questions concerns how much should a Japanese player commit to an area like that around Perth at this time in the war?

Is this a vital enough area for conquest to use the entire army from the PI should that be necessary?

Or should these units be divided to support and establish a foundation for defense in Burma? Or in the So Pac area?

How soon do I need to make sure these other key areas have an effective deterrent force to push back an early advance?
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[Historiker]

If you don't go all in to conquer all of Australia, I'd stop at Kalgoorlie and Daly Waters. You'll have your flanks secured and conquered some ressources, industry and harbors. That's a worthy target IMO.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

My main questions concerns how much should a Japanese player commit to an area like that around Perth at this time in the war?

Is this a vital enough area for conquest to use the entire army from the PI should that be necessary?

Or should these units be divided to support and establish a foundation for defense in Burma? Or in the So Pac area?

How soon do I need to make sure these other key areas have an effective deterrent force to push back an early advance?

I think if you remain aggressive early you don't have to worry so much from Allied counterstrikes as they'll be leery of possibly moving troops forward into the teeth of your next move. So I think you have time before you need to worry about forming your defensive line. Burma is worrisome, but with Scenario 2, I think you'll have enough LCU's to establish a solid line early. I'd try and push on Imphal and area to simply deny these bases being built up and then establish your MLR on Katha and area.

I'm obviously no expert, but what is the rational for invading around Perth? I'd let that dictate you force allocation. If it's simply to deny Perth as a staging area for as long as possible and interdict any Allied supply TF's from Cape Town, then I'd bring a fair bit initially to establish my defence quickly, lots of support and engineer units. Once established I'd pull the bulk of my troops out for defensive duty elsewhere.

Any plans on hitting in the northeast to deny Townsville and area for as long as possible to delay 4E's messing with you in New Guinea? If I was to invade Australia myself I'd hit as far south as possible on both east and west coasts and then backfill my way up both coasts towards Darwin trying to bag the lot of whatever they had there. I'd also look at establishing an airbase within range of some Australian industry and trash it from air attack. If the intention is not a complete takeover attempt, I'd gear my operations to causing as much damage as possible and then just leave an expendable rearguard and bug the rest of the troops out.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Historiker

If you don't go all in to conquer all of Australia, I'd stop at Kalgoorlie and Daly Waters. You'll have your flanks secured and conquered some ressources, industry and harbors. That's a worthy target IMO.

This is the first idea I had. Just to get these areas, and to maybe Tennant Creek just because it's lightly held. But leave very little out there. Just an outpost for scouting.

It is about flanks and getting a bit more HI. I'm fine on resources for the moment with China as it is. But ships moving back from these areas will fill with whatever they can bring back. Also possibly about wiping out the forces here and the 38 ships still listed on the roll-over in Perth!

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

My main questions concerns how much should a Japanese player commit to an area like that around Perth at this time in the war?

Is this a vital enough area for conquest to use the entire army from the PI should that be necessary?

Or should these units be divided to support and establish a foundation for defense in Burma? Or in the So Pac area?

How soon do I need to make sure these other key areas have an effective deterrent force to push back an early advance?

I think if you remain aggressive early you don't have to worry so much from Allied counterstrikes as they'll be leery of possibly moving troops forward into the teeth of your next move. So I think you have time before you need to worry about forming your defensive line. Burma is worrisome, but with Scenario 2, I think you'll have enough LCU's to establish a solid line early. I'd try and push on Imphal and area to simply deny these bases being built up and then establish your MLR on Katha and area.

I'm obviously no expert, but what is the rational for invading around Perth? I'd let that dictate you force allocation. If it's simply to deny Perth as a staging area for as long as possible and interdict any Allied supply TF's from Cape Town, then I'd bring a fair bit initially to establish my defence quickly, lots of support and engineer units. Once established I'd pull the bulk of my troops out for defensive duty elsewhere.

Any plans on hitting in the northeast to deny Townsville and area for as long as possible to delay 4E's messing with you in New Guinea? If I was to invade Australia myself I'd hit as far south as possible on both east and west coasts and then backfill my way up both coasts towards Darwin trying to bag the lot of whatever they had there. I'd also look at establishing an airbase within range of some Australian industry and trash it from air attack. If the intention is not a complete takeover attempt, I'd gear my operations to causing as much damage as possible and then just leave an expendable rearguard and bug the rest of the troops out.

Firstly, this is Scen 1, so I have a little less to play with. That's why the concern. I know what Nemo would do against me, but do I assume my opponent won't try something so bold as an amphibious operation on the Thai/Burmese coast in June?

The other idea is to deny these spots to the Allies. Keep the 4Es at bay for a year maybe, and to wipe out troops and hit as many invading forces as possible later when they arrive. The more invasions the Allies must make, the more chances the IJN and the air forces have to hit ships and men on the sea. If I can get that far I will also want to leave a rail blockade in Kalgoorlie and pull the majority of the rest back, as you suggest.

The other thought is that if I could do this with 2 Divisions and some tanks I could go on the offensive in the Indian Ocean at Diego and Addu, which might forestall moves on Burma and Malaya until the OZ operation is solidified and China is in a position where i hope to be able to pull troops out into Burma. I like NE Australia, I just don't think there is enough manpower yet to go there. I would need at least 3 Divisions to land at somewhere like Townsville and hope to hold it long enough to make a difference. And that might be cutting it close depending on what US forces are in OZ now, which I just don't know.

PPs are scarce. There are about 350 I'm saving, needing to get 450 to get the last of the garrison forces out of Manuchuria to send it to Manilla. Then get the 250 AV brigade and have that for something fun.

Any other ideas or thoughts? Love to hear what everyone thinks about the possibilities.

[SqzMyLemon]

Hi obvert,

Sorry for the mistake of thinking this was Scenario 2, I usually pay more attention.

With Scenario 1, I still think you could do both coasts in Australia as long as you didn't buy out Kwantung units and commit them to China or that you don't over commit to Burma initially. I could see you using the 2nd, 16th, 18th, 21st, 48th and 56th Divisions for Australia at the very least. That still leaves you a fair number of unrestricted divisions for defence against likely Allied early advances. Don't mind my numbers for the divisions, I'm just numbering likely ones to keep them straight in my head.

If you move on Northeastern Australia have you thought about hitting at Rockhampton or Brisbane? If you can cut the rail lines north and dig in the rough terrain you could cause a longer delay perhaps. I'd not be keen actually trying to garrison Townsville and area in clear terrain if the Allies succeed in getting a lot of B-17's into Australia. Nemo is a big advocate of hitting behind a major line and backfilling and it's something I like as well. Definitely something I'm going to try in my next game as Japan rather than simply push until I hit an Allied wall. It may be a little long in the tooth for something like that in Australia for you now though, and it all depends what the Allies have gotten into the country. I think if you'd been able to land as early as the end March you'd be in much better shape.

I think that's the rub with Scenario 1, troops and time. You don't have the extra troops to advance against multiple targets mid-42, but I do think Scenario 1 allows one concentrated effort for a drive with limited goals in India or Australia if launched early enough. The intention would be to hit hard early and then withdraw to your main line. Biggest lesson I learned is take something beyond a historical perimeter to buy you more time when the Allies do start moving. Even if you can delay one route of advance until mid/late 43, that's a big deal.

I like the idea of Addu or Diego to delay, but not sure what you could adequately use for garrisons that would hold out against the Allies if they moved against you earlier than anticipated.

That's the biggest challenge I think as Japan. There are a few options to try offensively, but you have to plan for them on day one. Wait too long and the opportunity is lost or a much harder fight than it need have been. So many options, and the Allies make it tougher on you setting up a proper defence by not having to attack where you hope they will! [:D]

Just some thoughts coming from a player who realized far too late how to play a more effective Japan.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

That's the biggest challenge I think as Japan. There are a few options to try offensively, but you have to plan for them on day one.

That is the IJ side in a nutshell. And having said that, it means that you have limited ability to adjust to your opponent.

So, if you plan for a very aggressive opening thinking they will employ a Sir Robin, and they don't ... OTOH, if you go too conservative and they do pull a Sir Robin .... best laid plans .... etc. etc. etc.

[vicberg]

I do believe that Japan in Scen 1 can adjust and can have big phase 2 objectives. I'm playing Da Big Babes, version 3, which is Scen 1 on serious depressents. I elected not to do a phase 2 but I could have.

What I see happening, over and over, is Japanese players trying to take too much in first month, dispursing their troops and ships too thin and taking high losses which they can't afford. The dispurse approach only works against super-aggressive allied players (look at John 3rds AAR) or Sir Robin defense. Anything else and there's way too many losses or it's too easy to get bogged down somewhere. Againt WITPQS, in a couple of games against him, I got totally bogged down, which is when I learned to concentrate. Japanese have overwhelming strength in the beginning, but only if it's focused.

Thinking strategically, Sinkawang, Palembang, Northern Java is all that is needed for the SRA. This can be done with Mini-KB support or even just land based air. Balikpan, Timor Sea, Celebes Sea can all wait until much, much later and picked up with a few naval guards. Rest of Borneo can wait. Mersing is always a possiblity once Singkawang is taken. Cabutang is the only other real objective because of the level 4 airfield used by the allies to stage their aircraft from PI to Java, but that even gets tricky because of the Houston and Boise. For Sopac, Rabaul, PM and further down is fairly easy with KB support. It's certainly not as exciting as the take everything-at-once approach, but it's far safer.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Hi obvert,

Sorry for the mistake of thinking this was Scenario 2, I usually pay more attention.

With Scenario 1, I still think you could do both coasts in Australia as long as you didn't buy out Kwantung units and commit them to China or that you don't over commit to Burma initially. I could see you using the 2nd, 16th, 18th, 21st, 48th and 56th Divisions for Australia at the very least. That still leaves you a fair number of unrestricted divisions for defence against likely Allied early advances. Don't mind my numbers for the divisions, I'm just numbering likely ones to keep them straight in my head.

If you move on Northeastern Australia have you thought about hitting at Rockhampton or Brisbane? If you can cut the rail lines north and dig in the rough terrain you could cause a longer delay perhaps. I'd not be keen actually trying to garrison Townsville and area in clear terrain if the Allies succeed in getting a lot of B-17's into Australia. Nemo is a big advocate of hitting behind a major line and backfilling and it's something I like as well. Definitely something I'm going to try in my next game as Japan rather than simply push until I hit an Allied wall. It may be a little long in the tooth for something like that in Australia for you now though, and it all depends what the Allies have gotten into the country. I think if you'd been able to land as early as the end March you'd be in much better shape.

I think that's the rub with Scenario 1, troops and time. You don't have the extra troops to advance against multiple targets mid-42, but I do think Scenario 1 allows one concentrated effort for a drive with limited goals in India or Australia if launched early enough. The intention would be to hit hard early and then withdraw to your main line. Biggest lesson I learned is take something beyond a historical perimeter to buy you more time when the Allies do start moving. Even if you can delay one route of advance until mid/late 43, that's a big deal.

I like the idea of Addu or Diego to delay, but not sure what you could adequately use for garrisons that would hold out against the Allies if they moved against you earlier than anticipated.

That's the biggest challenge I think as Japan. There are a few options to try offensively, but you have to plan for them on day one. Wait too long and the opportunity is lost or a much harder fight than it need have been. So many options, and the Allies make it tougher on you setting up a proper defence by not having to attack where you hope they will! [:D]

Just some thoughts coming from a player who realized far too late how to play a more effective Japan.

I love the idea of landing and back-filling on the E coast of OZ. I had thought of Rockhampton because it's where the rail lines split. It is also in the clear though. It would need definitely those 5 divisions and some tanks to scurry and prevent a run-around. Brisbane seems to far right now. But, I could recon more and see what is there. It'd be good to ruin it for the Allies at least.

I have two waiting in Tilityap for which area they will hit first in W OZ. If I can make the road blockade work at the Daly Waters 'landing' then I'll fly in a Rgt there and march back to Katherine and Darwin. The point here is not to land half-prepared Divisions against the CD guns and to surround and destroy ALL that is in this part of OZ. There are some very good base forces if I recall, but not much troop strength. Is it about 250 AV of smallish units there? So with some concerted bombing efforts we could do well with a few SNLFs and a Rgt in at least keeping all of this here., starving it out while the major troops go for Perth.

The other 3 Divisions are loading up in Naga. I could send these to E OZ. Once I commit though I know that a lot of 4Es will be coming in and making things difficult.

I could use the 250 AV brigade from the PI, which is set to be released from Manilla soon by the arrival of the new garrison I mentioned earlier. This could take Addu while a bought out Division that is actually already prepping for it could take Diego. It would be mid-June before this would be close to setting forth, so July by the time it happened.

I know there is a CV lull here somewhere for the British. I have to look back and see when all of the withdrawals happen, and the US CV upgrades, to make sure I hit it at the right moment.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

That's the biggest challenge I think as Japan. There are a few options to try offensively, but you have to plan for them on day one.

That is the IJ side in a nutshell. And having said that, it means that you have limited ability to adjust to your opponent.

So, if you plan for a very aggressive opening thinking they will employ a Sir Robin, and they don't ... OTOH, if you go too conservative and they do pull a Sir Robin .... best laid plans .... etc. etc. etc.

I do agree some planning is in order from the beginning. I do also see players plan great big objectives early on and then get all out of order when it's harder to meet the requirements of taking the DEI and So Pac areas on schedule.

I believe in beginning with and continually updating a fluid set of strategic goals.

First on the list for me is China. Most of my goals there have been met. (I have some serious questions about how to take most advantage of them now, but that will come a bit later).

The next goal is to establish a solid first defensive line and begin to prepare a much stronger second line behind that. The first line is nearly set, but the second line is barely begun and will require the rest of 42 to flesh out.

After this the goal is to take critical territory from the Allies that will delay their advances in 43 and force them to commit forces in areas they may not be intending to fight in. This is the current stage in W OZ, with the Perth area the spot in question right now.

Further possibilities include Diego and Addu to get right bang in the middle of the sea lanes in the Indian Ocean. Next on the list would be NE OZ to take away some already prepared Allied bases, ruin a few industrial centers, and force an allocation of ground troops that the Allies might be intending and prepping to use elsewhere. This would also force a use of sea lanes I have a good view of from Noumea and could run raiding TFs into frequently.

So my questions are around the best sequence of events for the next two months. Should I send the Divisions to the Perth area right away and let the smaller units take care of the Darwin area, risking a breakout and chaos there? Should I prep and send invasions to the Indian Ocean islands with the units from the PI or wait until I can buy out the Division from Manchuria and use the 3 Divisions there immediately for an invasion in NE OZ, to be supported by other units as they are freed from the Perth area? (This seems very risky, and I'm leaning toward waiting until Perth is completely secured before making a decision on NE OZ possibilities).

[Historiker]

How is it stated so nicely in Shattered Sword?
The Japanese faild to follow the principle to use the maximum available power when it was needed.

Go one by one, but make sure you gain something worth the delay. That means: Make sure you let the better prepared enemy forces not get away!

[witpqs]

One thing to keep in mind is that by this time, if your opponent has been paying attention to it, all of his Australian infantry squads should be done upgrading to the current best standard - what's it called, AMF 42 or something? There will still be units filling out for a while to come, but all the militia should be gone by now.