Empire of the Rising Lemon? SqzMyLemon (Japan) v Smeulders (Allies)

[SqzMyLemon]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I thought I'd just clarify a few things here.

First off, the initial bombardments that hit Lunga prior to the waypoint issue were working, About half the bombardments so far have targeted the ground troops though. The ones that hit the airbase and facilities did pack a punch. Look back at the previous turn updates and check out the damage to both facilities and ground forces. When I ran the last test turn prior to this end of turn save the orders were identical in every way, and the turn ran the same save for one important exception, the airbase was targetted. SBD's were damaged and destroyed on the ground and the airbase was moderately damaged. So this turn was once again a poor roll, I am getting more than my fair share of them.

When the base was assaulted the forts were at level four and reduced to level three at capture. If they were not destroyed upon changing hands the current level of forts at Lunga is three. The damage to the port and airbase just reached 0% this turn, so there's no way forts are at level four yet. The airbase level is currently 3(5), so it should be a viable target for the ships, and more importantly should sustain substantial damage if the bombardments would just target the facilities.

The big boys are ordered in again today with four BB's including Yamato and Musashi. I set this bombardment to range one since there is no threat of CD guns. I left it at zero last turn thinking it was correct, but it must be some sort of default error as the bombardment occurred at 15k.

I don't set the escorting DD's to bombard, because if the Allies do interdict my TF, I want the DD's to be an effective screen for the BB's. I set a patrol zone last turn for this bombardment TF to set up a clear run to Lunga at range seven and avoid the majority of enemy subs and more importantly move through shallow water hexes. I've ordered in numerous ASW TF's to suppress the enemy submarines. If I can substantially damage the airbase this turn, I will begin air attacks to further suppress Lunga. KB is based at Rabaul and can arrive in one turn to address any issues and even bomb the airbase if I feel I need to.

My first amphibious TF's are beginning to arrive in theatre and if Lunga's airbase can be knocked out, I will begin landing troops on Tassafaronga and march on Lunga. This will avoid disruption, due to lack of prep, and give me the time to get more airbases up and running providing even more LBA to interdict the Allies.

The stage is set, but I want the Allies afraid, or unable, to base aircraft at Lunga. These bombardment missions are crucial, not only for the material damage they cause, but the pyschological affect. I want the Allies feeling helpless and to have to make a tough call, commit naval assets or see Lunga's defenders wiped out. So I need the airbase knocked out, and that's why I'm so concerned about the bombardment routine being more of a hindrance than not. I really think the changes made in an earlier patch, because of complaints of bombardments not hitting troops was a mistake as well. I think it's been shifted too far in that direction.

We'll see what happens though. I am discouraged, but not giving up yet. I just need some better results to turn things around. And Pax, I'm glad you are getting something out of this, I'll do my best to provide a learning experience for other players contemplating the merits of fly by the seat of your pants tactics at times [:D]. I just know that caution has not worked for me, it's time to risk a lot to gain a lot.

[SqzMyLemon]

obvert,

Thanks for posting your picture of the auxilliary ship set. I'll comment more on that later, I'm just too focused on the game right now. I definitely will strike up more of a conversation with you next time, about your own model building projects. I'm glad to have discovered you're interested and build them too.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Thanks When the base was assaulted the forts were at level four and reduced to level three at capture. If they were not destroyed upon changing hands the current level of forts at Lunga is three.

You know, good question/point. Do forts transfer intact? I rarely ever capture a base with forts > 0 and I have never checked to see what the starting forts are when I take over. I always assume 0, but clearly they could be higher. Huh. Have to watch for this next time.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

obvert,

Thanks for posting your picture of the auxialliary ship set. I'll comment more on that later, I'm just too focused on the game right now. I definitely will strike up more of a conversation with you next time, about your own model buildng projects. I'm glad to have discovered you're interested and build them too.

No problem. Just thought I'd throw them in there as there. Hope you don't mind a pic on your AAR.

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Thanks When the base was assaulted the forts were at level four and reduced to level three at capture. If they were not destroyed upon changing hands the current level of forts at Lunga is three.

You know, good question/point. Do forts transfer intact? I rarely ever capture a base with forts > 0 and I have never checked to see what the starting forts are when I take over. I always assume 0, but clearly they could be higher. Huh. Have to watch for this next time.

When I've picked up a base by occupying it after my opponent vacates, with no combat during the changeover turn, the forts remain. When the base is captured through combat, the forts do not remain and must be rebuilt. I think. [:)]

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Thanks When the base was assaulted the forts were at level four and reduced to level three at capture. If they were not destroyed upon changing hands the current level of forts at Lunga is three.

You know, good question/point. Do forts transfer intact? I rarely ever capture a base with forts > 0 and I have never checked to see what the starting forts are when I take over. I always assume 0, but clearly they could be higher. Huh. Have to watch for this next time.

I am pretty sure that forts revert to 0 in all cases when a base changes hands.

Regardless of casualties, your bombardments will cause heavy disruption-especially with BBs. This works very well in conjunction with infantry attacks. And constant bombardment cause morale to deteriorate. This is important too as morale is very slow to recover.

[SqzMyLemon]

A good day, we got two turns completed.

Feb. 11/43 Update:

Sub Ops:

SS O20 is spotted by E Yomogi near Rekata Bay, but no ASW attack.

SS S-47 elects not to launch torpedoes against SC CH 36 near Gasmata, the Subchaser does launch a DC attack though and scores a near miss hit.

Burma:

Allied B-24D Liberator's (34) in two raids hit Lashio again. Damage is 2 AB, 2 ABS and 9 Runway hits. No enemy fighter sweeps today.

The Gilbert Islands:

F4F-3 Wildcat's (22) sweep Tarawa today. There is no Japanese CAP set. Could this be the beginning of the next phase of the Allied advance in this theatre?

China:

Pretty quiet as just some local air attack against various Chinese forces as Japanese troops advance. Unfortunately weather grounded the bombing of troops at Kweiyang. There is now a Chinese force of 89 units across the river N.E. of Tuyun.

The Solomons:

Do I have this bombardment thing figured out? Not an overwhelming result, but a successful bombardment regardless. Four BB's unload on Lunga and one BB targets the facilities while the others concentrate on the 27th Division. Enemy ground forces suffer 0(7) infantry, 2(18) non-combat and 4(1) engineer squads lost totalling 148 casualties. The facilities at Lunga suffer 7 AB, 5 ABS, 35 Runway, 7 Port and 1 Port Supply hits. Damage to the airbase shows 35%. Much better and now I can send some bombers in to complement the bombardments.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Sapporo expands fortifications to size 1
Ketoi-jima expands fortifications to size 1
Raba expands fortifications to size 2

E Oki arrives at Tokyo
E Sado arrives at Tokyo

Allied:

Umnak Island expands airfield to size 5
Cristobal expands port to size 6

Thoughts:

The bombardment TF from the 10th has reached Rabaul and is rearmed and refueled. The Yamato TF retired to Shortlands. This means I may be able to conduct bombardments against Lunga every two days. I'm frantically building up airbases and troops are pouring into the theatre. I'll gladly trade Allied attention in the Gilberts for a chance to liberate Lunga.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

When I've picked up a base by occupying it after my opponent vacates, with no combat during the changeover turn, the forts remain. When the base is captured through combat, the forts do not remain and must be rebuilt. I think. [:)]

This has been my experience as well, in terms of occupying a base after the enemy has vacated it. When the Chinese abandoned Changteh and my forces rolled in, I was pleasantly surprised to see a level three fort waiting for me. Alfred has also made some comments to this affect in one of his 101 threads.

I'm not sure about when losing my own bases. My gut tells me they go back to zero, but in this situation I'm going to base my operations on a worse case scenario of at least level three forts.

[SqzMyLemon]

Next turn is away. Ships are starting to show a little sign of wear and tear. I'll be cycling ships in and out of the line now to get some back to the rear to repair out of enemy 4E range. My refits are about five days from joining up with the Combined Fleet. I'm debating whether to send the CVE's to the Solomons or keep them available in case the Allies try something in the DEI or IO. I am really trying to improve my search capacity and pushing the edge of my perimeter to allow patrol plane bases and anchorages. With KB at Rabaul, I do not want a surprise visit whacking the Solomons and the concentration of shipping I have there. KB is poised to strike anything of worth, but needs a minimum of one day notice to be in position.

No bombardment of Lunga today. I'm going to try and cycle three BB TF's to keep up continual bombardments. I forgot the Ops expediture for rearming and refueling at Rabaul. If I stick with two TF's I can only hit Lunga every three days, but with three TF's it increases to every two days. If the Allies do not move on the Gilberts soon, I anticipate an attempt to get more troops on Lunga or invasions of other islands in the island chain. Once Lunga is closed and I get troops into position on Tassafaronga, I move to a new phase of operations to disrupt any interference by the Allies. Bart mentioned in the last e-mail he only has four BB's in the South Pacific. He's implying I still have substantial strength committed. I'm not sure how to take this comment, although I'm operating on the assumption he has more and is blowing smoke to try and make me underestimate a possible Allied response. This is sort of the point of why I'm doing this. He knows where I am and what I have...the decision on whether to do anything about it lies with him, I have my own agenda at the moment, but I'm prepared for anything he may try. If there is a massive commitment of Allied naval forces, then we may have one heck of a fight on our hands. [8D]

I'm starting to get in a rythym elsewhere on the map. I've got a few little surprises set up and just need a suitable victim to come along. I want to start throwing some curveballs and get the Allies out of their comfort zone. I've earmarked two more regiments for removal from China, I'm just waiting on the PP's to accumulate. To save time they are already redeploying to Hong Kong. That makes four regiments earmarked for Pacific duties with two ready to go and PP's paid.

I've accelerated as many DD's as I can. I've added a bunch of E's a few late war CV's. I have also resumed production of about five submarines. They may get lucky, or as some have suggested provide me with some valauble recon when I most need it. With more E's coming online, I can free up some older DD's to be used for interdiction of enemy ASW TF's in the Solomons and Gilberts. I'd like to be doing that now, but am short DD's for my combat TF's as it is, so I have to wait.

New AO's and tankers join the merchant navy soon and they will be put to immediate use. More airframes should be advancing their R&D soon, particularly the Tojo IIc. The Ki-84 Frank factories seem to be taking forever to repair, but I started those late.

I'll let a few more days develop and then post some screenshots to bring the visuals up to speed.

[ny59giants]

Form a small SC TF that the BB TF can follow in to Lunga. If I was the Allies, I would send in some PT boats to disrupt your bombardments. 3 or 4 DDs should be enough.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Form a small SC TF that the BB TF can follow in to Lunga. If I was the Allies, I would send in some PT boats to disrupt your bombardments. 3 or 4 DDs should be enough.

Hi Michael,

Other than submarines, I'm not sure what the Allied plan for defending Lunga is. I wonder if my previous passivity has led to a strategy of simply wait me out until I tire of bombardments, or start losing some ships to torpedoes and stop. I heavily mined Lunga as soon as the Allied naval vessels retired. The initial field was 150 mines, so depending on degradation there should still be a lot there. I plan on a second minelaying operation as soon as Lunga is closed again. There's a good chance the mines are keeping the Allies away right now, especially with how cautious Bart is.

Now that bombardments are working better, I will begin to ratchet up the pace of operations. I don't know where the Allied CV's are, but I want to start landing troops in two days. I will also land troops on Tulagi and start building the base up. I need to get artillery, AA and more engineers moving though. It's going to be quite a job dislodging the defenders. The immediate plan is make CAP available in numbers that will allow me to station a SCTF directly at Lunga. If the Allies want to do anything here, they will have to fight for it...no more freebies. This may mean the 4E's will start hitting me soon though if the Allies fear committing naval forces.

I'm putting together a couple of small SCTF's to guard against PT's as you suggest, however they will act independently of the bombardment TF's. I've had enough troubles already, I won't risk problems with the follow command in case they screw up or refuel en route. That's another reason why I don't set my escorting DD's to bombardment. I want them fully armed to deal with PT's and anything else they may encounter. I'm also about to go after his ASW TF snooping around to the S.E. of Lunga. I see anything Allied come too close, I'm going to sink it. Once I'm established again on Guadalcanal, I'll look at paying Ndeni a visit and shut that airbase down as well. I'll expand operations so that the Allies can't simply concentrate on Lunga. If I threaten Ndeni, it will take pressure away from my forces at Lunga.

When my DD reinforcements arrive at Rabaul, I'll be much more aggressive with my naval forces. Those 18 DD's will be invaluable at this stage.

[ny59giants]

Can we get a screenshot of the Solomons and Coral Sea area?? It would help your readers follow along better.

If you can afford it now or to file this thought away to later, consider mining the shallow hex just SE of Lunga. It may be a nasty surprise if he tries to get reinforcements in by standard transports or Fast Transport.

[SqzMyLemon]

Sure thing, I'll work on one tonight.

If anybody else is wondering about seeing other information or screenshots, don't hesitate to ask.

[SqzMyLemon]

The next turn has arrived. It looks like we may be back on track getting the game moving. Shouldn't be anything happening this turn, but next one should see some movement and some action in China. I'll post a few screens upon the conclusion of today's action. Catch you all later.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

When I've picked up a base by occupying it after my opponent vacates, with no combat during the changeover turn, the forts remain. When the base is captured through combat, the forts do not remain and must be rebuilt. I think. [:)]

This has been my experience as well, in terms of occupying a base after the enemy has vacated it. When the Chinese abandoned Changteh and my forces rolled in, I was pleasantly surprised to see a level three fort waiting for me. Alfred has also made some comments to this affect in one of his 101 threads.

I'm not sure about when losing my own bases. My gut tells me they go back to zero, but in this situation I'm going to base my operations on a worse case scenario of at least level three forts.

If you capture a base without attacking it, you inherit the forts. If you attack it, the fort level resets to 0.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: obvert

When I've picked up a base by occupying it after my opponent vacates, with no combat during the changeover turn, the forts remain. When the base is captured through combat, the forts do not remain and must be rebuilt. I think. [:)]

This has been my experience as well, in terms of occupying a base after the enemy has vacated it. When the Chinese abandoned Changteh and my forces rolled in, I was pleasantly surprised to see a level three fort waiting for me. Alfred has also made some comments to this affect in one of his 101 threads.

I'm not sure about when losing my own bases. My gut tells me they go back to zero, but in this situation I'm going to base my operations on a worse case scenario of at least level three forts.

If you capture a base without attacking it, you inherit the forts. If you attack it, the fort level resets to 0.

Thanks for the clarification Mike. That means I may be facing a fort level of only one or two if I can keep Lunga damaged and prevent further fort construction. I better get cracking with the counterinvasion and get those troops landing. The last few bombardments must have been low rolls, my previous bombardments were really doing a number on the enemy defenders, unless a level one or two fort makes that much of a difference as seen in the most recent bombardments.

[SqzMyLemon]

Feb. 12/43 Update:

Sub Ops:

Japanese ASW is really stepping up lately in the Solomons and New Britain area.

SS Gudgeon is spotted by E Otori near Rekata Bay. No ASW attack.
SS Gudgeon is spotted by E Otori near Russel Islands. No ASW attack.
SS S-47 is sighted by SC Ch 29 near Gasmata. SC Ch 29 launches an ASW attack and scores two direct DC and one near miss hits.
SS Gudgeon is again located by E Otori near Rekata Bay. This time E Otori gets a fix and attacks, recording one direct DC hit.
SS O20 is spotted by E Kiku near Rekata Bay, but no ASW attack.

Burma:

Quiet, no Allied bombings or sweeps.

China:

81st Chinese Corps is spotted in clear terrain and bombers are dispatched. The Chinese suffer 0(16) infantry, 1(17) non-combat squads lost totalling 310 casualties.

Kweiyang is hit hard today despite heavy cloud conditions. Japanese bombers inflict 0(28) infantry, 0(36) non-combat and 0(2) engineer squad losses totalling 581 casualties. Chinese fighters were moved to the base, despite damage showing 100% (FOW ?), but did not intercept the bombers.

The Solomons:

Rossel Island is captured by the Yokosuka 3rd SNLF. The plan is get an anchorage established in order to facilitate my search capability in the region and spot any would be enemy SCTF's.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Matsue expands airfield to size 3
Vella Lavella expands airfield to size 1
Tuyun expands fortifications to size 2

SS I-35 arrives at Osaka/Kyoto

Allied:

Adak Island expands port to size 4

TK Seirstad is reported to have been sunk near Lahaina on Sep 17, 1942

Thoughts:

Allied submarines are spotted at Lunga today, my guess laying mines or an attempt to interdict bombardment TF's. I'll send in a Minesweeper and escort to deal with and mines. Surprisingly my next bombardment TF actually reached the staging area this turn, so another bombardment will go ahead tomorrow. The first amphibious TF's are also ordered to move towards Tassafaronga. I should start landing in two days. I've decided to throw everthing I can at Lunga. I should be able to outpace any Allied attempt to reinforce Lunga. The priority now is get troops on Guadalcanal as quickly as possible, march on Lunga and establish a perimeter. Then land additional artillery and engineers directly at Lunga to speed up the process and start to grind away at the defences with a serious of deliberate attacks coinciding with naval and air bombardments. It will hopefully be a case of Japanese shock and awe. I do worry about the 4E's, but so far they are being held back and I hope to be strong enough to attrition them when they do appear.

A cautionary note...Yamato and friends arrived at Rabaul and took a very large chunk of supply. More fuel and supply is days away. As Michael points out...logistics, logistics and logistics. I figure the lack of combat for most of 42 allows me to splurge here, I'm committed to whatever it takes. I think a successful outcome here will be worth it. It may have quite an effect on the enemy and result in an even slower pace of advance. That's only if I'm successful of course!

So it begins. [8D] Screens a little later providing more information.

[SqzMyLemon]

I got the Solomons done, but it's too late to get Rabaul and area done. I neglected to mention there are another 75+ Betty's currently based within quick transfer range of the Solomons. I so need to get a better graphics program. I could really sex these up, but I lose the quality saving as a jpeg. Here's the fuzzy screenshot:

[obvert]

Are you guys taking a break?

Looks like you have enough airplanes in the Solomons. You might consider a few more interlocking bases around your strongpoints to battle the 4Es once you do get Lunga back. I'm confident you will! [:)]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Are you guys taking a break?

Looks like you have enough airplanes in the Solomons. You might consider a few more interlocking bases around your strongpoints to battle the 4Es once you do get Lunga back. I'm confident you will! [:)]

Hi obvert,

No break, but slow turnaround with turns this week. I didn't get a turn out to Bart on Monday and that means no turn from Bart until Thursday. He's busy Wednesday's and Friday's, so if I miss getting him a turn on the other nights we only get a few done unfortunately. I'm hoping to get the turn back fairly quickly tomorrow. If so, I'll have three days to update.

Things are heating up. Bart is still catching some breaks, but one of these days it will all fall into place for me...right? [:D] There was even a little Japanese CVL action, but results were again disappointing for Japanese naval air for some reason. I also sprung a surprise for the dreaded B-24's in Burma which started out great, but then quickly turned sour. At least I know I'm on top of things, and putting my forces into play as a result of following all the bits of intel I'm discovering through search and SigInt. I just wish I would be rewarded more often than not. Anyway, I'll update tomorrow regardless of whether I get a turn or not.

Stay tuned, we finally have a war on. Japanese troops start landing on Tassafaronga next turn, unless something goes horribly wrong or the Allies have a surprise for me.

[SqzMyLemon]

Feb. 13/43:

Sub Ops:

SS Guardfish near Loemadjang misses DD Usugumo. No ASW attack. This may blow the surprise of my CVL's off the northwest coast of Australia, as this is it's replenishment TF and AO's were reported in the combat report.

SS KXIV is again spotted near Donggala by an ASW TF, and again no ASW is launched. I may need to replace some Captains.

SS O20 is sighted by escorts of a bombardment TF and attacked near Rekata Bay. Both DD's Ariake and Nenohi attack scoring three near miss hits, one of which causes a fuel leak.

The Solomons:

Another bombardment of Lunga and still the 27th Division is targeted over the facilities. I am glad to be getting bombardments in consistently though.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
BB Fuso

Allied ground losses:
85 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Hyuga
BB Hyuga firing at 27th Infantry Division
BB Ise firing at 27th Infantry Division
BB Yamashiro firing at 27th Infantry Division
BB Fuso firing at 27th Infantry Division

The Gilbert Islands:

Tarawa is swept by F4F-3 Wildcat's (22) from Tabiteuea. No Japanese CAP. Allied medium bombers, B-26B Marauder's (13) and B-25C Mitchell's (15) and follow and hit the airbase causing 17 AB, 5 ABS and 67 Runway hits.

China:

81st Chinese Corps is bombed near Chungking for 0(10) infantry, 0(13) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squads lost totalling 93 casualties.

Kweiyang is targeted inflicting 1(31) infantry, 1(54) non-combat and 0(1) engineer squad losses totalling 236 casualties.

Burma:

Another Allied artillery bombardment at Bhamo. One enemy squad is diasabled for their trouble.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Rahaeng expands airfield to size 6
Taung Gyi expands fortifications to size 6
Torokina expands airfield to size 2
Ambon expands fortifications to size 5
Chumphon expands fortifications to size 2

TK Kyokuho Maru arrives at Nagasaki/Sasebo (I will be receiving quite a few tankers during the next 90 days)

58th Field AA Battalion arrives at Keijo
59th Field AA Battalion arrives at Keijo
3rd IJN Special Coastal Gun Battalion arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
Det. 3rd Special Base Force arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

Allied:

Geraldton expands airfield to size 5

Feb. 14/43:

Sub Ops:

SS KXIV is again spotted and ASW TF's again fail to launch a DC attack.

SS S-38 near Woodlark Island misses SC Ch 14. A DC attack scores a near miss hit.

SS O20 misses DD Kiyonami near Rekata Bay. DD Hatsuharu reports two near miss hits causing damage. This is the BB Yamato bombardment TF.

The Solomons:

Another bombardment of Lunga by BB Yamato and friends. There is damage to the facilities this time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Lunga at 114,138

Japanese Ships
BB Musashi
BB Yamato
BB Haruna
BB Kongo

Allied Ships
AK Almaack, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Libra, Shell hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AK Alcyon, Shell hits 3, heavy damage
AK Bellatrix, Shell hits 1, heavy damage

Allied ground losses:
212 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 30 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 9 (2 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 15
Port hits 18
Port supply hits 1

F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Musashi
BB Musashi firing at 27th Infantry Division
BB Yamato firing at 27th Infantry Division
BB Haruna firing at 27th Infantry Division
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Kongo
BB Kongo firing at Lunga

In a surprise move the Allies send in two DD's to interrupt my naval operations against Lunga and submarine suppression. These DD's were spotted the previous turn and I thought I had sufficient screens, but was proven wrong. Unfortunately, they sneak through and the DD's Porter and Phelps quickly sink the E Kiji, one of my better performing ASW ships.

They then stumble across an amphibious TF heading to Lunga.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Rekata Bay at 112,135, Range 29,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Sendai
DD Hibiki
DD Murakumo
DD Asagiri
DD Yugiri
xAK Kansai Maru
xAK Kashii Maru
xAK Aobasan Maru
xAK Asosan Maru
xAK Asakasan Maru
xAK Atutasan Maru
LSD Shinshu Maru
LSD Akitsu Maru
xAP Teia Maru

Allied Ships
DD Porter
DD Phelps

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
Range closes to 27,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 27,000 yards
Japanese TF attempts to evade combat
Range increases to 28,000 yards...
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 28,000 yards
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Range increases to 29,000 yards...
Japanese Amphibious TF evades combat

Lunga's airbase is finally bombed by Japanese LBA. I've been trying for the previous two days, but weather has grounded my aircraft. G4M1 Betty's (26) inflict 2 AB, 2 ABS and 16 Runway hits. The AK Libra is reported hit and sunk...finally another transport goes down.

The Gilbert Islands:

Rinse and repeat. Wildcat's sweep Tarawa and Allied medium bombers hit the airbase again for 4 AB, 4 ABS and 9 Runway hits. An A6M2-N Rufe is destroyed on the ground.

China:

Chinese forces near Chungking in open terrain are hit hard by bombers. The Chinese suffer 5(86) infantry and 4(70) non-combat squads lost totalling 856 casualties.

Burma:

I threw a surprise in for the Allies today. The milk run against Lashio was anything but today. I was prepared to have to take on Allied sweeps today, but they either didn't fly or the Allies got complacent. B-24D Liberator's (36) were bounced by LRCAP from three airbases. The Oscar's do most of the damage. Despite the Tojo's and Nick's being set to 80% LRCAP only 13 appear out of a possible 50 aircraft, extremely disappointing. The LRCAP was set specifically to Bhamo so I thought there'd be more, or at least a number would reinforce my initial numbers. That didn't happen. Regardless, the bombers got a bloody nose today. [8D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Lashio , at 62,46

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 37
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 8
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 5

Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 36

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

Allied aircraft losses
B-24D Liberator: 2 destroyed, 22 damaged

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

The intelligence report indicated 14 B-24's were downed against 11 Oscar's. I suffered 4 A2A and 7 Ops losses with Oscar's...simply matchsticks. I don't believe 14 bombers were shot down. I can account for 5 outright during the replay and a few more were severely damaged, but I still doubt 14 were lost.

Another Allied ground bombardment at Bhamo causes no loss.

Northwest Australia:

Another surprise for the Allies occurred off the coast of Exmouth. [8D]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Exmouth at 52,128

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 11 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11
A6M3a Zero x 7
B5N2 Kate x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
xAK Mangola, Torpedo hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Lowana (hit by two dud torpedoes!) [:@]
DD Kortenaer
DD Van Nes

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

I thought there were more Allied ships and search indicated eight enemy ships, but this was all that were attacked. Unfortunately, about half the bombers couldn't find the target and only these aircraft from three Japanese CVL's attacked. I'm setting my Kate's altitude lower next time to see if that makes a difference in hits.

Miscellaneous:

Japan:

Nauru Island expands fortifications to size 1

AMc Wa 11 arrives at Tokyo
AMc Wa 12 arrives at Tokyo
AMc Wa 13 arrives at Tokyo
DMS W-23 arrives at Tokyo
CM Nuwashima arrives at Tokyo
AO Ashizuri arrives at Hiroshima/Kure
SC CHa-52 arrives at Takamatsu

934 Ku S-1 arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka
109th Sentai arrives at Maebashi

Allied:

Nothing

Thoughts:

A little love for Imperial forces on Valentine's Day, but overall a little disappointed in only one Allied transport sunk off the coast of Australia. The LRCAP over Lashio worked like a charm and the initial pass by Japanese fighters was impressive, but then the combat quickly devolved into Japanese plane after plane aborting for any number of reasons and then bomber defensive fire took over. If more Tojo's and Nick's had intercepted I think the allied losses would have been much greater. Two Allied DD's slip through substantial SCTF's and take out one of my better ASW ships in the Solomons. I'll take the results today, but I'm still looking for that elusive drubbing of the enemy when I catch him offguard, as I have routinely lately.

Feb. 15/43:

Sub Ops:

SS I-169 misses DD Kortenaer near Exmouth.

SS S-38 is spotted near Woodlark Island by ASW. No DC attack.

The Solomons:

Looking for revenge against the two American DD's, I send in strong SCTF to deal with them. I get what I hoped for and Japanese forces catch the enemy retiring from Munda.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Munda at 111,135, Range 11,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Atago
CL Oyodo, Shell hits 1
DD Akigumo, Shell hits 1
DD Kazegumo
DD Tamanami
DD Kagero

Allied Ships
DD Porter
DD Phelps, Shell hits 4, on fire

Improved night sighting under 82% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Clear Conditions and 82% moonlight: 12,000 yards
Range closes to 23,000 yards...
Range closes to 17,000 yards...
Range closes to 11,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 11,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 11,000 yards
Beck, E. crosses the 'T'

CA Atago engages DD Phelps at 11,000 yards
CL Oyodo engages DD Phelps at 11,000 yards
DD Kazegumo engages DD Phelps at 11,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Akigumo at 11,000 yards
Range closes to 7,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Akigumo at 7,000 yards
DD Kazegumo engages DD Porter at 7,000 yards
DD Porter engages DD Kagero at 7,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Phelps at 7,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Kazegumo at 7,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Phelps at 7,000 yards
Range closes to 5,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Phelps at 5,000 yards
DD Kagero engages DD Phelps at 5,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Kazegumo at 5,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Porter at 5,000 yards
Range closes to 4,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Phelps at 4,000 yards
CL Oyodo engages DD Porter at 4,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Kazegumo at 4,000 yards
DD Akigumo engages DD Porter at 4,000 yards
Range increases to 8,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Kagero at 8,000 yards
CL Oyodo engages DD Phelps at 8,000 yards
DD Tamanami engages DD Porter at 8,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Akigumo at 8,000 yards
Range increases to 13,000 yards
CA Atago engages DD Phelps at 13,000 yards
CL Oyodo engages DD Phelps at 13,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Kagero at 13,000 yards
DD Phelps engages DD Kazegumo at 13,000 yards
Task forces break off...

Sigh, the enemy gets the tactical advantage and two heavy cruisers lay an egg, while the four DD's don't perfom much better. Another disappointing showing by Imperial forces.

Betty's hit Lunga's airbase again. Damage is 4 AB, 2 ABS and 6 Runway hits.

The Gilbert Islands:

Wildcat's sweep Tarawa, but no Allied bombers appear today.

Australia:

Japanese CVL's move south, but the Allied transports move east towards Port Hedland. I do not have any idea of Allied LBA at the base, so I steer clear of the level 5 airbase. The CVL's will retire back to Soerabaja, hopefully dodging the Allied submarines I'm sure are converging on her last position.

China:

I'm starting to target airbase again to cause supply losses since the Chinese have formed into such massive stacks. Chungking is targeted today and damage is 10 AB, 2 ABS and 41 Runway hits. Two P-43A-1 Lancer's are destroyed on the ground.

A ground assault in the north.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 80,40 (near Tienshui)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 41966 troops, 322 guns, 186 vehicles, Assault Value = 1452

Defending force 18847 troops, 87 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 767

Japanese adjusted assault: 1155

Allied adjusted defense: 1492

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
939 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 42 disabled
Vehicles lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
665 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 174 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
110th Division
12th Tank Regiment
27th Division
63rd Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Brigade
North China Area Army

Defending units:
3rd Chinese Corps
9th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps

I do not like ground combat in this game. The defensive modifiers and terrain make uber stacks inevitable. The penalty of reduced AV for the attacker against forts or terrain is just harsh, that's what the defensive modifiers are for. The attacker is always penalized twice and it just rubs me wrong. An almost 2:1 advantage is swung completely in favour of the defense. I should start shock attacking regularly to overcome this, but then again one bad roll completely shatters your forces. I'd rather grind away when I do have an advantage, rather than risk a disaster from a bad roll.

On a happier note, Chihkiang and Patung fall. The Chinese leave one unit guarding the river line N.E. of Tuyun while the rest withdraw to Kweiyang. There are now 89 Chinese units and over 700k+ in the base. This allows me to move my armour and artillery over the river instead of losing 23 days marching through rough terrain. If the Chinese defend Kweiyang, I will attempt to surround it rather than a frontal assault.

Miscellaneous:

Peiping expands fortifications to size 3
Milne Bay expands fortifications to size 3
Torokina expands fortifications to size 1

I'm finally able to get all of 78th Sentai converted to Ki-61 Ia Tony's, it will deploy to Burma.

Thoughts:

Overall, I'm happy with progress. I'm dictating events, hitting back at the Allies everywhere and making good progress in China. I'm still concerned over inability to score serious losses on the enemy when I catch him offguard, but one of these days it's bound to happen.

I think the complete withdrawal in China is a mistake. I'm going to be able to shorten my line substantially and withdraw numerous units as soon as PP's are available. I'm already reducing the number of bombers and redeploying them to Burma and the Pacific.

I've landed the 30th Rgt. of 28th Division and the entire 2nd Division on Tassafaronga. The 16th and 54th Divisions will arrive in days, but I may hold one back to land directly against Lunga along with artillery, tanks, engineers and the HQ units to coincide with the units marching overland arriving. The 48th Division will be held in reserve. The lack of Allied 4E bombing is really helping me get additional airbases expanded. Soon I'll be able to muster a pretty decent sized force of naval LBA to counter any naval incursions in the theatre.

CV Taiho and 16 DD's have arrived at Rabaul, as has another 150k of fuel and 75k+ of supplies. I'm growing stronger daily. I'm not sure of Allied intentions, but if they don't act soon in Lunga's support, it will be a lot more difficult than it could have been. It's going to be a tough haul and by no means a short operation for me and success is not guaranteed, but I'm feeling better about things than I did two weeks ago. I keep doing what I'm doing and await a serious Allied reaction.