Wait, I can't read Cuttlefish's new AAR? - Cribtop (J) vs CF (A)

[Cribtop]

One minor amendment to the Sept. 8th report:

By pure chance, Glen recon combines with a "heavy" SigInt report to give some useful information about Sydney. There are 99 ships in port. Reported ships are xAKs and a few escorts, but 99 ships + 37 LCUs = a big concentration by CF.

There are only 5 bombers and no fighters reported. Genda is VERY interested in this report. Hmmm.....

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

One minor amendment to the Sept. 8th report:

By pure chance, Glen recon combines with a "heavy" SigInt report to give some useful information about Sydney. There are 99 ships in port. Reported ships are xAKs and a few escorts, but 99 ships + 37 LCUs = a big concentration by CF.

There are only 5 bombers and no fighters reported. Genda is VERY interested in this report. Hmmm.....

Would you consider taking action based on this report? Or simply step up patrols and recon in the area?

[Cribtop]

I'm seriously thinking about sending KB down there. The approach isn't well covered by enemy patrol planes and there are no fighters watching over those 99 ships. I'm probably going to wait a few days and then recon again (I'd like to know whether warships are present). The Kaigun may soon be on the march!

[ny59giants]

Find some of your subs that can carry midgets to visit Sydney. They may not sink anything, but since you probably have many already built, might as well use them.

[Cribtop]

Good idea. I used that tactic at Perth - it helped to prove nothing was there.

[ny59giants]

OT - What do you think of the Giants signing Martellus Bennett as a TE?? Mixed feelings at

http://corner.bigblueinteractive.com/index.php?show=2

[Cribtop]

Eh, IMHO he has shown promise at times but is inconsistent, so probably not a good signing. I really expected more of him 'cause I used to watch him play with the Aggies against my 'Horns.

I'm afraid of RG3 at the Redskins. The 'Skins have been a mess for years (bad ownership), but that dude is scary good and his arm is first rate. He's not just a "mobile quarterback." Plus he's smart. Ugh.

[Cribtop]

September 9, 1942

Subs

IJN escorts of a convoy heading to Siboeret to drop off a base force DC the Porpoise just outside the exit of the Sunda Strait. Looks like the recent hit on that sub was real and she's heading home for repairs. Escorts of a resource convoy chase off Chachalot near Gebe.

A Glen spots what is reported as 2 CVEs and a TK near Karachi. Hmmm. Did CF pull his carriers all the way back here? Is the report of CVEs accurate? Hard to tell, but we'll investigate further. The enemy convoy is approaching a line of 4 I-boats, hopefully we'll get another contact. One argument against the CVEs being real is that none of these subs report being spotted by search aircraft.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

65th Brigade is resting a few days at Truk before shipping out for Milne Bay. I notice that the small units at Milne Bay haven't drawn replacements despite being ordered to do so. The base has plenty of supply but is a level 0 port and airfield (we don't want to build up something for CF to use later). How can we get replacements there?

Southern Army

We will soon get search planes into Siboeret. Our armor in NW Oz will move another hex back toward Daly today.

Terempa invaded.

15th Army

Now that one of the Zero groups here in Burma has gone up to 45 planes, we are able to pull a 27 plane unit to Babel to turn Ryuho into a "fighter carrier." The CVL's organic air groups don't arrive until November '43 (we accelerated the Ryuho and didn't count on the fact her air groups didn't accelerate with her.)

We sweep and bomb Ledo with a well co-ordinated 100+ bomber attack timed to coincide with a rare spat of good weather. We damage numerous C-47s, but unfortunately the only planes destroyed are a few Audax.

China

Cribtop HQ orders the final advance on Changsha as reinforcements from the North will arrive soon. 17th Army will send a sacrificial unit over the river to establish a bridgehead, then follow with the rest of the army to join 13th Army at the city. Then we will try to bull 21 enemy LCUs out of town, which will probably take a while. The IJAAF is constantly bombing the city's airfield and garrison.

Combined Fleet

Analysis of the opportunity at Sydney indicates that MKB could approach over a period of four days, then move into position with a flank speed move and lay waste to the port. The potential attack is dubbed Operation Trident. A picket ship is ordered to move along the planned approach route to check for Allied naval search coverage, which so far appears to be minimal since the picket hasn't been spotted in its current position well south of Milne Bay.

Other

We finish a minor project to bring Home Island bases up to level 3 forts today. We don't want to go overboard, but it's never too early to prepare for the end game.

[ny59giants]

We finish a minor project to bring Home Island bases up to level 3 forts today. We don't want to go overboard, but it's never too early to prepare for the end game.

It would be nice if at some point during the game, all those static BFs could upgrade so at least 12 to 24 engineers showed up to do this. Late '43 or early '44 would be nice.

OT - Couch Pope has always done very well in getting TEs to play above expectations.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

We finish a minor project to bring Home Island bases up to level 3 forts today. We don't want to go overboard, but it's never too early to prepare for the end game.

It would be nice if at some point during the game, all those static BFs could upgrade so at least 12 to 24 engineers showed up to do this. Late '43 or early '44 would be nice.

OT - Couch Pope has always done very well in getting TEs to play above expectations.

I have a few engineer units here building vital ports in the north. As they do that they also build the fields and forts, aiming for forts 4. When this portion is finished they will move around and do the same all over. The Divisions here are doing the same. By the end of 43 I plan to have all useful bases with industry, on the shore or with other vital infrastructure to at least forts 4 and maxed out ports and fields.

Then I'll take specific vulnerable or extra important bases to as many forts as I can to help protect against air strikes. After the GJ game I did some serious thinking about how much needs to start getting prepped early so if there was a surprise advance by the Allies at least the base preparation would be in place.

[Cribtop]

Good thoughts, obvert. The few engineers in Japan are doing the same for me, starting up at Ominato and then moving south. The "forts 3" project was executed where there were organic engineers in base forces or divisions.

[Cribtop]

September 10, 1942

Had a great lunch meeting with Princep01 today here in Austin. I imagine the tables around us at Chili's were wondering just what the H#$LL we were talking about. [:D]

Subs

Our super ASW group at Hokkaido often spots an enemy sub lurking near Bihoro, but no attacks yet. It will come...

No sign of the odd CVE/TK convoy reported yesterday near Karachi, so the mystery deepens. Cribtop Intel's best guess is it was a bad report, but then again CF has been known to have AOs travel with CVs in the same task force for easy re-fueling.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

The picket ship is unspotted so far as she tests out the proposed route for Operation Trident.

Southern Army

Our tanks move another hex and are spared air attack by storms. The tankers are doing rain dances for more.

Terempa occupied. Only 4 more islands to DBCL. I'll miss the chore (not).

I checked the 18th Division at Kendari and noticed it was at 97 EXP. Really? Wow. [&o]

15th Army

CF sweeps and bombs Mandalay with 64 Blenheims. Fortunately the poor weather impedes accuracy. We figured he would do this the day after our daylight raid on Ledo, so all IJAAF groups had pulled out. We would have set a CAP trap, but frankly until Mr. Tojo arrives in numbers we can't handle the Hurricane IIs.

Madras makes level 9 airfield.

China

The last reinforcements reach Changsha. Time to move 17th Army and begin the attack in earnest. Looking ahead, if we take Changsha, Operation Red Dragon will conclude and the four divisions of 17th Army will move into strategic reserve while the IJAAF pounds supply at Chungking and forces of the China Expeditionary Army prepare for additional offensives.

Combined Fleet

No change.

[Grfin Zeppelin]

Hello Cribtop HQ...real life is no excuse for denying me my reading matter [:-]











[;)]

[Cribtop]

True that. I owe y'all two days of reports. Things will soon heat up as we assault Changsha and give the final go/no go order for Operation Trident.

[Cribtop]

September 11, 1942

Catch up time!

Subs

Sturgeon duds on a DD in an ASW TF that reacted toward the sub. Smooth move, guys. [8|] Glen recon of Luganville shows that although the airfield and port are being built up there are still only 2 LCUs present. Not exactly a beehive of activity.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

It sure feels good to suddenly have 2 divisions and a brigade plus 3 paratroop LCUs in reserve.

Southern Army

Taberfane airfield hits level 4.

15th Army

I nearly came out of my chair when an invasion fleet was announced hitting Great Nicobar. Then I realized it was my own DBCL force. Duh. This is about the fifth time in game I've had a heart attack over my own invasions. [:D]

CF continues to heavily recon Mandalay and Meiktila, but for some reason ignores Magwe. This has kept my night bombers plinking away at Ledo unopposed.

The more interesting news is that a 3rd enemy LCU is discovered in Kalemyo, and the stack now has a move order down the trail to the West (map), i.e. the trail that only goes 1 hex from Kalemyo. Not sure what the enemy is up to here, but it's the closest thing to an offensive since the Baker and Ndeni invasions, so we'll keep a close eye. Cribtop HQ also takes note of the fact that the monsoon season will end soon. Base building has long hinted that CF plans a two prong attack out of Burma and SWPAC. Is this it? Time will tell.

China

BA Changsha shows raw AS 4910 vs 3472, with 17th Army's 1700ish AS still to arrive. Terrain and forts won't make it easy, but this target seems doable and the offensive will commence shortly. The China Expeditionary Army HQ moves by rail to Hankow and is prepping for Changsha to add support.

Recon shows that there is no longer a move arrow NW (map) out of Ankang. We'll recon again to confirm. It makes sense that CF would want to occupy the other mountain hex, but we want to make sure this isn't some sort of offensive.

Combined Fleet

The picket ship probing the Operation Trident route is still unspotted. Looks like there is no air search out of New Caledonia or Brisbane. Cribtop HQ authorizes the Op. Kido Butai is weighing anchor for yet another port attack in this odd, port attacky war.

Other

Two HRs have been added to the game list.

1) Night air attacks are limited to a single group per enemy base attacked. Exception: 4Es on night firebombing attacks. The exception strikes fear into my heart, but it is historical. If I want to keep my cities from burning, I need to keep the Silver Bees away from the Home Islands.

2) When they arrive, not more than 2 Super Es per convoy. I offered only 1 per TF, and may quietly stick with that except for huge troop convoys, but CF was ok with two.

[Cribtop]

September 12, 1942

Subs

O-20 misses I-27 near Sabang. Scary. ASW aircraft attack subs near Bihoro, Formosa and Sabang (no doubt O-20), reporting a hit on the sub near Sabang. Our ASW specialist groups are beginning to have an effect.

We launch a medium range sub wolfpack to patrol the waters NNE of Pearl Harbor for a while.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Cairns makes level 6 airfield.

Southern Army

Great Nicobar is occupied while Djemadja is invaded.

15th Army

The new enemy unit at Kalemyo appears to be armor, but our "recon bombing" flight is grounded, so no confirmation.

We launch an aggressive effort to recon various hexes near Kalemyo to try to detect an approaching army. Nada.

Chittagong airfield is up to 7.

China

An armored car unit sacrifices its life to open the river crossing hexside from the West (map). 17th Army will follow, sans shock attack, tomorrow.

Combined Fleet

MKB will sortie tomorrow for Truk as we wanted a few ships to finish off a SYS and ENG damage repair. Operation Trident will include a large screen composed of long range Glen boats, RO-boats currently loitering near Luganville, and 3 Jake equipped AMCs.

[Cribtop]

September 13, 1942

Subs

RO-65 guns and torpedoes the good-sized xAK Suva under the waves near Luganville. Troops were on board and vehicles are reported lost. Banzai. Odd that a troopship was traveling alone.

Sculpin torpedoes an xAK in a CS convoy near Gorong. The xAK should survive. Snapper thens duds on an xAK in the same convoy just 1 hex away. Looks like it's time to shift some ASW assets to this area.

IJN ASW DCs Sturgeon near Sinkep without apparent effect after again reacting to the sub and again suffering a dud hit. Truly, mutually assured futility here.

4th Fleet

No change.

SE Fleet

Our search planes at Nukufetau report APDs at Suva. Mouseover reports 2 CLs. Interesting either way.

Southern Army

Djemadja occupied.

15th Army

We bomb Kalemyo and confirm that 6th Aussie Division is still present, but gain no recon on the new arrival, which appears to still be marching West.

China

17th Army enters the Changsha hex. We will DA and paradrop there tomorrow. Today a nasty airfield attack scores 19 supply and 104 runway hits. Banzai!

One enemy LCU marches NW out of Ankang into hex 58, 42. The rest remain in Ankang. Looks like just a defensive move after all.

Combined Fleet

Combined Fleet sails for Truk. We may yet cancel Operation Trident, but for now it's on.

5th Fleet

Hirosaki airfield hits level 4.

[Cribtop]

September 14, 1942

A bloody day that in the end probably works out for the Sons of Nippon.

Subs

Snapper duds on an xAK near Molu.

4th Fleet

We bomb Baker and the same 2 LCUs are still present.

SE Fleet

Kavieng makes fort level 2. Suva port level 5.

Southern Army

Recon confirms that the enemy B-17s are still parked at Alice Springs, but they haven't flown in some time.

15th Army

The enemy armor unit moves one hex down the trail and is revealed by recon to be the 45th Recce Regiment. They appear to be moving SW (map) along the ridge of rough jungle separating the Arakan from the interior. What is CF up to? We move the 55th Division, our local reserves, up to Mandalay just in case.

Colombo hits level 8 airfield.

China

We have a bit of a snafu at Changsha that works out in the end. We ordered all LCUs to DA while dropping a paratrooper unit in hopes it would help with the enemy adjusted AV. This move converts the whole thing into a shock attack. Nonetheless, we drop forts to 4 and obtain a solid 1:1. Casualties are a rather ugly 5,016(71) vs 17,682(128). Yikes! Still, most of our units are actually still in good or even great shape. Disabled combat squads are 549 for the KMT vs 1,051 for the IJA, but the enemy has a supply(-) already and he won't recover those squads. We'll rest a few days and DA. No more paradrop assists for me.

Nanning forts go to 2.

[witpqs]

5,016(71) vs 17,682(128)

What are the numbers in parentheses?

[PaxMondo]

Disabled(destroyed) <pretty sure>
&nbsp;
Yeah, para doesn't help the odds at all from what I have seen, only forces a SA.&nbsp; I don't find that to be really an advantage, so I rarely use them in that role any more.
&nbsp;