Well, after the severe losses suffered by the surface fleet at Guadacanal the Americans did find and shift a fair number of warships to the Pacific to compensate, so it did and could happen. I have no doubt that if the Japaese were pumping out 250 tojos a month and threatening Northern OZ in late 1942 that the Allies would have certainly put a lot more aircraft at the disposal of the Pacific commanders. I don't think that Europe first was an unflexible policy and success had its on way of changing things. The American early sucesses in the Pacific caused a shift in this policy and Admiral King was able to send far more force than initially planned to the Pacific theater.
I am also proposing that things get started in 1939 rather than 1940 .. I am not sure scenario #2 could get fired up in one year .. that program would have to be in full swing in 1937 and I propose a much different debate in 1939 [which culminated with the 2 Oceans act in 1940 ..]
Certainly the Oil and heavy industry needed to build up scenrario #2 would be more than alarming ..here I am proposing Naval expansion rather than community projects .. [8D]
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
... One huge mistake was to get armor committed on the East side of Swebo. These units are locked in for '43 as moving them will take months. Probably the best thing to do is pull all the armor North and engage the units at Bhamo. At least the rules state that a line from Ledo can be drawn into China and the IJ are blocking this path now...
If the bolded part of above is meant to refer to opening the Burma Road to China and the auto 500 supply points thereby delievered daily, you are mistaken. This is one of the few areas where the manual is quite wrong.
The Burma Road is only opened from Rangoon, not from Ledo.
... One huge mistake was to get armor committed on the East side of Swebo. These units are locked in for '43 as moving them will take months. Probably the best thing to do is pull all the armor North and engage the units at Bhamo. At least the rules state that a line from Ledo can be drawn into China and the IJ are blocking this path now...
If the bolded part of above is meant to refer to opening the Burma Road to China and the auto 500 supply points thereby delievered daily, you are mistaken. This is one of the few areas where the manual is quite wrong.
The Burma Road is only opened from Rangoon, not from Ledo.
Alfred
Ok even though you are the bearer of bad news I am glad I got this clarified .. as I was ready to spend 1.2K AV to move the IJ out of Bhamo ..Ok I have to extend my power projection all the way to Rangoon .. this is not happening soon .. so I guess the Chineese have to learn to eat cake ...or mud pancakes ...[8D]
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
So if Rangoon is taken this extra 500 supply a month does not move to China?
No.
The Burma Road is Rangoon - Tsuyung. For the daily supplies to be delivered there must be no Japanese units on any part of the road/trail/rail.
Alfred
Interesting. But I guess what I'm wondering is as long as the rest of it is open, say just after the capture of Rangoon, will the supply flow until the IJA takes the roads in the mountains? For instance until a para-drop at Paoshan?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
The supply flows when there is no Japanese unit in any of the hexes between the two sites. It stops when there is a Japanese unit. Then reopens again when there is no Japanese unit.
That means capturing Rangoon alone is not enough. There must be no Japanese unit in Rangoon as well.
A Japanese player who wanted to be gamey would simply paradrop 1 squad on any part of the route to close it.
The supply flows when there is no Japanese unit in any of the hexes between the two sites. It stops when there is a Japanese unit. Then reopens again when there is no Japanese unit.
That means capturing Rangoon alone is not enough. There must be no Japanese unit in Rangoon as well.
A Japanese player who wanted to be gamey would simply paradrop 1 squad on any part of the route to close it.
Alfred
That's good news for the IJ. I had thought it would continue to flow until the IJ had captured anything past the junction of the roads into the mountains, the one from Myitkyna and the one from Lashio, or captured bases along both of those roads.
Thanks for the clarification.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
Followed by an Oscar sweep ..
Morning Air attack on 26th Indian Brigade, at 57,46 , near Magwe
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 18,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes
Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14
No Japanese losses
The IJ have come to play. I have been lazy saving my fatigue ...The USAAF can up over 100 fighters over this area .. we shall see how this turns out ..
The IJ are anticipating the next step in our operations ..
2/29th Division is loaded on xAP Hakusan Maru moving to Guam.
Ok more later ....
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
*************************************** 30 NOV 42 ****************************************
The Betty's are coming at night again .. they get an airbase and runway hit ..
Night Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45
Weather in hex: Thunderstorms
Raid spotted at 22 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 damaged
Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1
First we go after a tank rgt ..
Morning Air attack on 8th Tank Regiment, at 58,46 , near Magwe
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
B-24D Liberator x 11
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 20 (2 destroyed, 18 disabled)
..............
The 77th Inf Reg feels death from above as we attack a possible river crossing ..
Morning Air attack on 77th Infantry Regiment, at 58,46 , near Magwe
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12
Vengeance I x 32
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
156 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)
....................
Morning Air attack on 77th Infantry Regiment, at 58,46 , near Magwe
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 19,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes
Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIc Trop x 12
Vengeance I x 16
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
102 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
..........................
Morning Air attack on 77th Infantry Regiment, at 58,46 , near Magwe
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 16
B-24D Liberator x 12
B-25C Mitchell x 16
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 35 (6 destroyed, 29 disabled)
......................
Morning Air attack on 77th Infantry Regiment, at 58,46 , near Magwe
Weather in hex: Severe storms
Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes
****************************************** 01 DEC 42 *******************************
A look at the map below and the USMC 2nd Division is dropping on Narau Island this turn. The IJ have zero detection of this attack. I have brought along the 6 main CV's and 4 CVE's for aircover incase the KB show up while off loading. B17's and B24's will provide an intial air assault. I think there is maybe 20 AV left here ...
Narau Island is key because it builds to a level 5 airbase and that will provide a base for 4E's. advance
Attachments
NauruIslandsDEC42.jpg (286.18 KiB) Viewed 254 times
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
I'd say your ahead of schedule. To have 6 fleet carriers must be bliss. On another note, the bombing results from Burma are outstanding. I assume the 77th is in clear terrain? To lazy to open a new game to check (turns away). Even at Mili in severe weather your pilots are putting the eggs in the basket. Looking forward to whats next.
I'd say your ahead of schedule. To have 6 fleet carriers must be bliss. On another note, the bombing results from Burma are outstanding. I assume the 77th is in clear terrain? To lazy to open a new game to check (turns away). Even at Mili in severe weather your pilots are putting the eggs in the basket. Looking forward to whats next.
I am focused on the 77th in Burma, which is in open terrain as you point out . I will continue to bomb and eventully cross once I have everythng in place.
I have 9 Heavy bomber groups 5 on Tabiteua and 4 on Tarawa that now have 60% acc. but are still avg rookie experince ... so they have ops losses . The B-24's on Tabiteueua can reach Roi-Namur and now the B-17 E's can join them .. the plan is to first take narau island and then start my drive with Jalluit and Milli at the same time in Feb 43.
My CV play has been very very careful ... only committing to battle under the protection of PBY's and Land Based air ... The probabilites of an advantaged exchange are not good IMHO .. so I use my CV's as moble airbases rather than a platform to exchange "queens" ....
I am right on my schedule .. the next steps after the Marshall's will be very very very bloody. No way can I attack the Marianas before '44 -- so its either back into the Solmons or maybe slug it out with Pompe then Truk ,,.I will have soon two bases in which to bomb Truk and have a fight ...we shall see ..
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
We execute a landing at Narau Island TF 1 carries teh 2nd Marine Division command and TF 80 carries the rest .. along with a Base Force and the 2nd EAB.
Allied Ships
DD Evertsen
DD Banckert
DD Voyager
DD Stuart
PG Yarra
PG Swan
AP McCawley
.................
Pre-Invasion action off Nauru Island (127,128)
13 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
DD Laffey
xAP President Madison
DD Buchanan
Invasion Support action off Nauru Island (127,128)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force
3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Allied Ships
PG Yarra
AP McCawley
....................
Invasion Support action off Nauru Island (127,128)
Allied Ships
xAP Republic
xAP President Fillmore
xAP President Madison
DD Buchanan
...................
Invasion Support action off Nauru Island (127,128)
Allied Ships
PG Hindustan
PG Lawrence
AP Leonard Wood
DD Cushing
DD MacDonough
====================================================
Amphibious Assault at Nauru Island (127,128)
TF 1 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 127,128
Allied ground losses:
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)
10 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 2nd Marine Div /7
Motorized Support lost overboard during unload of 2nd Marine Div /10
.....................
Amphibious Assault at Nauru Island (127,128)
TF 80 troops unloading over beach at Nauru Island, 127,128
The IJ cannot help but notice 128 Wildcat's escorting the bombers and do the Math.. My CV's must be here . I suspect "heavy volume of radio traffic" next turn [;)]
Then the shock attack ..
Ground combat at Nauru Island (127,128)
Japanese Bombardment attack
Attacking force 484 troops, 10 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Defending force 13649 troops, 292 guns, 223 vehicles, Assault Value = 454
Japanese ground losses:
148 casualties reported
Squads: 35 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Assaulting units:
52nd Naval Guard Unit
Defending units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Engineer Aviation Battalion
223rd USN Base Force /2
..................
Ground combat at Nauru Island (127,128)
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 13315 troops, 288 guns, 213 vehicles, Assault Value = 454
Defending force 292 troops, 6 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1
Japanese ground losses:
225 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (6 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
2nd Marine Division
2nd USMC Engineer Aviation Battalion
223rd USN Base Force /2
Defending units:
52nd Naval Guard Unit
When the smoke cleared one IJN soldier surrendered ...
However, this landing was much more expensive than the combat report shows ..
2nd USMC Engineer Aviation Battalion DISPERSES!!
I am not sure what this means and I wait for the turn to come back .. but I am thinking an entire Aviation Battalion has been eliminated!!! [X(] Clearly they landed too close in the time period to the original landing even though only 1 AV was left on the target when the smoke cleared ...[:@]
Overall a good turn. Look at the map above. Next turn the PBY's extend range 200 miles deeper into the IJ battlespace. By Feb 43 we should have a level 4 base here that will hold 2E's ..
More later ..
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
I recieved the turn and the situaiton is not as bad as I thought. 50% of the 2nd Marine EAB is disabled. Overtime these troops will rest up and recover. On the SIGINT front as I suspected the KB is at Truk and firing up the boilers. We can see just 4 hexes short of Truk so the USN will get plenty of warning should the KB decide to sortie.
In other news, I was able to help the IJ with their industry. It seems that a factory went into repair mode with repair off. The details and behaviors in this game are mind boggling. I never want this game to be frustrating -- just challenging .. so I do not mind helping with things like setting up WitPStaff or thinking of things to check when results are not as expected.
This unlike maybe some other AAR's where players have the championship of the free world at stake ..[;)]
Ok consolidation this turn and getting engineers on Narau Island. We need a level 5 airfield ASAP!
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
Late to the party here. I agree with you about Scen 2. Congress would of changed things in the military. Look up Perfect war mod.
Yes ...
Japan would have had to build up under the table a little more .. and if Japan had 1M HI/Fuel stocked up .. then they would not have been as desperate position [;)] Instead a policy of focusing on China while keeping the Brits and US negotiating .. as it is oil/fuel was at a crisis stage and ony the seizing of the DEI would save the empire. The miscalculation is briniging the US into the war, which the IJ did not understand our politics at the time.
Right now in this game the IJ are really wondering why they woke up the sleeping tiger ..[:D]
"What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so"
