Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, Docup(A)-Koniu(J)

[koniu]

26-27 MAY 42

Quiet days. Japanese bombers attacking chines troops in Kukong area killing 1000+ in two days. Sieged chines troops in Kukong start moving NE to woods. I can do nothing about that.

In Burma i see at lest 70k allied troops in Akyab and other Indian bases. At lest 30k in jungle marching to Burma.
I have big problems suppling troops so allies must have much bigger problems with supplies.


In Java another attack without success but air support help and i take only 20 KIA soldiers to almost 300 Dutch. Tomorrow i will shock.

Ambon AV grow to 680. Fast transport ships preparing. I need to transport supplies and HQ.


Game is now stooped. We have technical problem with last turn. Topic on tech forum opened. Now we need to wait for solution.

[obvert]

If 30,000 Allies are marching through the forests now, I'd make sure you put some good sized LCUs if front of where they'll come out to start making forts there. Perhaps more importantly, build airfields to get supply moving better and dump 50,000 in from Rangoon occasionally to make sure it's all topped up.

[koniu]

Docup is changing some last turn orders to his subs(ships?) in range of my search planes.
We try no eliminate error during AM search phase that causing game crash.

EDIT: No success with that. We debating what to do next. Wait for tech help from michaelm or redo turn

EDIT2: Turn redone. Waiting for docup. I hope it will help.

I have spend last day 2h making lots of logistical job. Now i need to do it again[:@] but i have decide to spread it in 2-3 turns

EDIT3: We have redone turn and this time everything was OK. Details tomorrow.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

EDIT3: We have redone turn and this time everything was OK. Details tomorrow.

GOOD news.

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: koniu

EDIT3: We have redone turn and this time everything was OK. Details tomorrow.

GOOD news.

We have answer from Michaelm. Save was corrupted (in search part of save) probably when Japanese player ending turn.. So only solution was redoing turn.

[koniu]

28-29 May 42

Java
Finally last resistance point on island fall on 28.
Ground combat at Malang (55,105)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12584 troops, 106 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 434

Defending force 9418 troops, 70 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 85

Japanese adjusted assault: 548

Allied adjusted defense: 205

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Malang !!!

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
110 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
5180 casualties reported
Squads: 168 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 940 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 26 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 91 (91 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 14

Ambon/Timor
Allied APD TF spoted and attacked on 29.
50 G4M attack but fail to score any hit.

Allies send 2E bombers to bombard Dili. They list 5 for one Zero

KB1 and MKB
MKB refueled and rearmed in Soerobaja. Ships will stay in port for few days to repair some damage.
KB1 refueled in Balikpapan. All planes and pilot loses replaced and now KB1 is in full power. He need only sail to Soerobaja to rearm torpedoes and will return to fight.

China
I am bombing Kukong every day.
Almost all reports look like that or better. I am aloso bombing them for air

Ground combat at Kukong (79,57)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 69317 troops, 733 guns, 355 vehicles, Assault Value = 2781

Defending force 50224 troops, 289 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1592

Japanese ground losses:
59 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
111 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

I think they are low on supplies. I have 900AV marching to Kukong. They will arrive on one or two days.
I think i will attack when last two ID arrive. It will be 3600AV vs 1600AV.

I have no more than 4-5 days before chines troop enter forest or chines troopos open sully road to city.

On 28th 90x Fighters sweep Changsha. They showdown 18 enemy planes for 10 Oscars.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: koniu

EDIT3: We have redone turn and this time everything was OK. Details tomorrow.

GOOD news.

We have answer from Michaelm. Save was corrupted (in search part of save) probably when Japanese player ending turn.. So only solution was redoing turn.

All Hail Michael!!!

[&o][&o][&o]

[koniu]

I need advice about Kokong (Map few days old in post 365)

In two days i will have there 3600AV(average 85% preparation). All with morale 95+, rested without disruption an fatigue. HQ one hex south of city but in command range.
Chines forces 1600AV

I am see small Chinese unit 2 hexes north of Kukong. They probably try to move south and reopen rail supply connection to city. They will manage to do that in few days.

Chinese troops (do not know how many) marching from city to NE wood hex.

Intel speculations about enemy. Fort lvl 3-4. supplies low.

They are bombed from air and ground from at lest 3 weeks. From last few days i have good ground bombard result.

Question: How big risk will have deliberate attack in those situation. I am afraid that i will take to many casualties. I they have supplies they will multiple AVx3.5(fort-terrain).

If i do not attack there is chance the they will run north through woods form siege


Any suggestions?

After next turn i will give combat animation screen-shot an more datails if this help

[PaxMondo]

For me, fighting the China troops is all about morale/exp, not AV.  1600 AV if the forces are 25/25 is nothing.  If they have been able to train up to 50/50, then they start to be trouble.  This is where, for me, IJ intel REALLY sucks.  The allies would know what units are there and even be able to guess how long.  The IJ only know how many units and approx AV.  [:@]
 
If your air attack is disabling +100 squads and killing +5, then I think you've prepped all you can.  It's all about the air attack and how much disruption you can create in those troops.  Takes max effort from your Sally's.  This is when I over-stack my AF's with every Sally airgroup I can find for 2-3 days.  Gonna lose a fair number of planes to op's losses, but that's what attacks are about.  Better to lose 10 Sally's than 200 squads is how I look at it.  I might even bring in my Netties (Mike, don't yell at me! [;)]) for this as well for a couple of turns.  I hate using Netties for ground support, but when you need to you do it.  Bring the biggest hammer you can.

[koniu]

30 May 42

Burma
Japanese bombers return to action. They bomb units in Shwebo killing 81 man 15 squads and disabling 7 squads

Bombardment attack on forces retreating from Rangoon. 147 killed. 11 squads destroyed, 5 disabled.

Darwin
Allied APD damage Jap SS. He now returning to Soerobaja

Tahiti
Jap sub sunk xAK

Ambon
Navy bombers attack Ambon AF.

China
Docup sweep Hankow. He go serius with that- 46 figters total(19xP-38 - i hate them)
I am no CAPing, no bombers in china, at lest no heavies. I think Docup is saving supplies.

But in China everything is about Kukong now.
145 2E bombers attack today chines troops in base.
141 troops killed. 45 squads disabled ( counting combat and non combat).

Later that day ground troops bombard.
85 enemy killed. 12 squads disabled

Chines single unit north of Kukong have 5k troops
Chinese troops southof Kukong, 3 units, 150AV and 14k troops. ID is moving to kill them



EDIT:
CVE Unyo arrive today.

[koniu]

31 MAY 42

BURMA
Quiet on ground. Lots of action in air

Japanese bombers attack Akyab destroying 2 planes on ground. In return Allied bombers attack Rangoon destroying on ground 9 bombers[:@].
I forgot to left some CAP and medium bomber where unescorted.
Allies attack also empty AF in Chiang Mai and troops NE of Prome

Lashio have now 1000AV force and almost no supplies

MKB
Leave Soerabaja last turn and is sailing south toward NW coast of OZ.
Mission: Intercept any attempts to send reinforcements to Darwin.

KB1
In Soerabaja. Refueled and rearmed. Tomorrow will sail back to Ambon.
Mission: intercept any attempts to send reinforcements or supplies to Ambon

KB2
2 days from HI, will start refit of 2 CVs and 5 DDs.

Timor/Ambon
Quiet. Bad weather no flights

China
Night attack on Hankow. I lost 1 bomber on ground.
In Changsha 100 fighters and 50 bombers. Air attack suspected. Target unknown.
Japanese planes stay on ground. Bad weather above target.

Kukong: decided to not attack.
I taking 2000AV to march north and cut retreating Chinese forces. They must move through woods i will have main road so they will not run.

R&D
From today building 120/month Ki-49IIa[:D]. I hope that all Sentai will using them in Burma by end of month.
I will also build 40 Ki-21 for some time to use in china. Later i will decide to stop or not stop production.

A6M3 available. But i will not build that model. All A6M2 factories converted. They are now reseted and need repairs.
I have 120 factories(I had over expanded M2 and after conversion 120 left) . By end of month 90 should be repaired. And will start production of A6M3a
Tactical reserve of M2 - 85 planes in pool

A6M3a advanced to 9/42

Subs
Lots of action but no bum.
Good news is that my ASW air patrols around HI are finding and attacking enemy subs. Hit reported.
Also they rising DL and my ASW sea patrols reacting but without success.


Of topic
I just ordered "Eugene Sledge - With the Old Breed" can wait when mail arrive

Also in next month i will probably buy "Shattered Sword" sadly only English edition is available so i will also order dictionary[8D]

[koniu]

Supplies movement.

Docup sent huge army to north Burma. I think he can have there equivalent of 2 maybe 3 ID.
(Australian ID confirmed)

How looks supply transport through jungle? In some topic i read that they are moving in some that they not.

One thing is sure. To feed so many troops he need lots of supplies. It will be good chance to lower morale of those troops before monsoon ends. In days i will start bombing allied bases in north Burma trying to destroy as many as passable of supplies there. Also closing those AF stop air supply transport.
I am sure that he transporting supplies from India. I only do not know where, Burma or China.
Almost every turn he losing by ops C-47.

Right now supplies holding me also, as i am not able to use drop tanks, and fighters cant give escort to bombers, but in 5 days 100k supplies will land in Rangoon

[koniu]

1 June 42
Only one action worth of mentioning

MKB
MKB found near NE coast of Oz his first target in mission. transport TF full of supplies and enemy soldiers.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 46,118

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 18
B5N1 Kate x 36
D3A1 Val x 6

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N1 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Skagerak, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Empire Pride, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Dunedin Star, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Empire Star, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Sophocles, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Age, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
381 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 14 destroyed, 35 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 26 (4 destroyed, 22 disabled)
Vehicles lost 8 (2 destroyed, 6 disabled)

Afternoon second attack found only one xAK.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 46,118

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 19
D3A1 Val x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAK Age, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
1068 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 48 disabled
Non Combat: 55 destroyed, 32 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 32 (20 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Vehicles lost 25 (22 destroyed, 3 disabled)


It looks like Rgt size unit maybe bigger
I sill see one ship CM, in battle hex

[koniu]

2-3 June 42

Burma
On 2 June Oscars ordered to LCAP over LCU near Prome ware engaged by allied fighters.
I have lost 13 own to 8 allied planes.
Heavy bomber raid attack Allied troops in Shwebo destroying 40 and disabling 50 squads.
It looks like one of units in hex was wiped out.

On 3 June nigh attack of B-17 in Rangoon. One Ki-21 destroyed on ground and one Oscars shot down by B-17 defensive fire.
Japanese bombers attack Katha AF. They fly unescorted and was engaged by 3 enemy fighters. 7 bombers lost in action.

I have 2 ID East of Lashio they marching north. I will try to push back allies in Burma as far north as passable..

I have lost Mandalay today by base auto switch. Recon units will recpture it tomarow. I need that base to have rail to Lashio open.

Supply situation is stabilizing in Burma. They slowly moving by roads from Indochina and tomorrow 100k will arrive to Rangoon by sea.

Java
Two BB waiting to replenish 36cm ammo. Port lvl 7, supplies 13k and they do not doing that. Whay?

Timor, Ambon
ASW TF sunk allied Sub in Kendari shallow waters. Those new DC are far more better than old version.

MKB
I give orders to move deeper in Indian Ocean but they refuse and stay on position from last turn[&:] Strange, they do not move single hex. On 2 June he sunk 2 xAK in Exmouth hex.

KB1
Undetected NW from Ambon. I think KB need to sail to Salomon Sea for some time

KB2
1 day from HI

China
Standard bombing mission to Kukong. Every day i am killing 200 enemy soldiers. Chinese troops arrive to hex north of city. ID is marching to push them north again and close supply path.
As i predicted allies send bombers to attack Hankow. Day earlier i have evacuated all bombers to safe AFs.
but i lost 10 planes on ground. Mostly recon.
Japanese fighters sweep Changsa shotting down 17 fighters for 9 own.


Air situation.
In first three days of June i have lost 70 planes to 45 allied planes. Lack of good Interceptor is also problem. I have decided to not Cap in china. Docup sweeping with P-38 and they will eat my K-43 for breakfast. When i have last time try to CAP vs P-38 i lost 24 planes to 1 P-38. Elite pilots and good planes in making them invincible. Until Tojo arrive i will chose my battles.

Industry, Ship building, R&D, etc.

Navy shipyards are working on full accelerating, all available ships. Different situation is in Merchant shipyard as i only building TKs and CVEs.
I have also lots of plane and engine factories with stopped production(pool is full or waiting to upgrade until production will be restarted). This allowing me to gain 6k+ HI every turn.

HI 382k
Armament 35k
Vehicles 14k
Fuel total (Japan) 3,09M (2,22M)
Oil total (Japan) 2,57M (1,82M)
Supplies total (Japan) 1,98M (0,67M)
Resources total (Japan) 9,31M (4,59M)

[koniu]

4 June 42

China
Mark those words

ORIGINAL: koniu
Air situation.
In first three days of June i have lost 70 planes to 45 allied planes. Lack of good Interceptor is also problem. I have decided to not Cap in china. Docup sweeping with P-38 and they will eat my K-43 for breakfast. When i have last time try to CAP vs P-38 i lost 24 planes to 1 P-38. Elite pilots and good planes in making them invincible. Until Tojo arrive i will chose my battles.

Docup sweep Hankow with P-38.
I forgot t set them to rest after last day instead i set them to CAP
21 Oscar lost for one P-38[:@]. Lucky only 5 pilots KIA and 5 WIA.

New orders from Tokyo: Regroup all air squadron in china to safe AF`s. Pilots given one weak vacation. It is time to rebuilt morale.

Kukong
Another hex side closed to Chinese forces. Only SE hex side is in Chinese hands. I will try to close siege asap. if i manage to do that i will close 100k chines troops in city[:D]

[koniu]

5 June 42

China
Chinese troop from Kukong start to move SE trying to run from City. I will move 4 ID from Kukong south. They will move 2 hexes using major road. Bombardments and air attacks will slow enemy troops so i will be able to block hex before they leave city

I hex nort of Kukong my forces attack chinise troops.
They have no AV now. Japanise units will return to Kukong

Ground combat at 79,56 (near Kukong)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 52602 troops, 452 guns, 249 vehicles, Assault Value = 1901

Defending force 3217 troops, 36 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 87

Japanese adjusted assault: 1455

Allied adjusted defense: 22

Japanese assault odds: 66 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
328 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2230 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 16 (4 destroyed, 12 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Timor/Ambon
AF attack in Ambon. I forgot to give teget to one of Bomber squadrons and they attack Saumlaki AF. 15 planes lost from CAP.

I lay offensive mine fieds in Ambon and Lautem in case allies try to send reinforcements.

Japan
Zuikaku and Shokaku start refit in Yokohama shipyard

[koniu]

6 June 42

Burma
Japanese air attack on British troops north of Prome. Flak is to powerful. 4 Ki-21 lost 8 damaged. Tomorrow first sentai will upgrade to Ki-49IIa. That will make flak survivability better.

Allied bombers attack my tanks near Lashio. But they miss.

Ambon
Allied FT TF spotted in Ambon hex. They pay high price for that visit.

First at nigh they find two offensive mines.
TF 23 encounters mine field at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Ships
APD Rathburne, Mine hits 1, on fire
APD Lawrence, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Later on afternoon

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
G3M2 Nell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Humphreys, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Brooks
APD Rathburne, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Lawrence, heavy damage
APD Waters, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Gilmer
APD Kane, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

That make 3 APD heavy damage and two APD already sunk.
Bad news they deliver at lest 1,5k of supplies to Ambon

Sub actions
US sub hit xAK near Ominato. Ship will survive
US DD make few holes in RO-33 near Sydney. Sub will survive but will be out of action for long time.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: koniu

6 June 42

Burma
Japanese air attack on British troops north of Prome. Flak is to powerful. 4 Ki-21 lost 8 damaged. Tomorrow first sentai will upgrade to Ki-49IIa. That will make flak survivability better.

Allied bombers attack my tanks near Lashio. But they miss.

Ambon
Allied FT TF spotted in Ambon hex. They pay high price for that visit.

First at nigh they find two offensive mines.
TF 23 encounters mine field at Ambon (76,109)

Allied Ships
APD Rathburne, Mine hits 1, on fire
APD Lawrence, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Later on afternoon

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Ambon at 76,109

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
G3M2 Nell x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
APD Humphreys, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Brooks
APD Rathburne, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
APD Lawrence, heavy damage
APD Waters, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
APD Gilmer
APD Kane, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

That make 3 APD heavy damage and two APD already sunk.
Bad news they deliver at lest 1,5k of supplies to Ambon

Sub actions
US sub hit xAK near Ominato. Ship will survive
US DD make few holes in RO-33 near Sydney. Sub will survive but will be out of action for long time.

Maybe if he is going to try these kinds of re-supply ops you should hold onto Ambon for a while! [:D]

You don't need that base to finish off the DEI if you have control of the air. It will starve eventually, and if more ships come to help out, so much the better.

[koniu]

Maybe if he is going to try these kinds of re-supply ops you should hold onto Ambon for a while!

You don't need that base to finish off the DEI if you have control of the air. It will starve eventually, and if more ships come to help out, so much the better.

I will land in Saumalaki. As i know island is not heavy defended but i have no units prep for it so i will need pay for that on beach with blood.
I will also soon start moving to Lantem from Dili but need to wait for reinforcements. When those 2 basses will be in my hands i will have full air domination. Only treat will be from B-17 raids.

Biggest risk is if Docup bring US CV to action, before i will land or he reinforce those bases. I give 50/50 chance for it. I have now only MKB in area so o hope he decide not. To prevent it i have few surprises for him. But we will see.

They are going to be bloody weeks.

I think firs sing of Allied move in region will be a B-17 air offensive to close AF. So if i see that i will bring all my forces to full alert. Right now they are rsting in Soerabaja and Truk

[koniu]

7 June 42

Burma
Lot of sweeps but on opposition above targets

Hawaii
SS I-21 score two torpedo hits to enemy CA. Tomorrow 4 subs will try to find crippled cruiser (if he survive)

Sub attack near Kona at 179,115

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
CA Salt Lake City, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Portland
DD Helm
DD Bagley
DD Hull
DD Mugford


Right now two enemy TFs in hex. Probably one of is Salt Lake City with DD escort

China
First, bad news.
Air raid over Kukong and hex south of city engaged by allied LCAP. Most of fighters stay on ground and only 9 Oscars fly as escort. Result 8 Oscars and 3 Ki-21 shot down for 2 enemy fighters. (5 pilots KIA)

Now better news.
21 ID make another step forward closing siege of Kukong by slaughtering enemy units south of City. After battle they retreat toward Kweilin. I will fallow and finish with them.

Ground combat at 78,58 (near Canton)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 11917 troops, 102 guns, 32 vehicles, Assault Value = 444

Defending force 5699 troops, 80 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 74

Japanese adjusted assault: 388

Allied adjusted defense: 16

Japanese assault odds: 24 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: disruption(-), experience(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
81 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2083 casualties reported
Squads: 99 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 99 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 3

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
21st Division

Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
12th Group Army


And best one news.
Lower you see map with current Kukong situation.
In two days Units south of City will enter wooden hex. It is last hex where Chinese troops can move. . I everything go as planed in 10 days Kukong will be blocked and i will move most of troops to another target. In Kukong i will leave only minimal garrison to hold siege and lot of Art units.