The Elephant Vanishes : obvert (J) vs Historiker_SqzMyLemon_Canoerebel (A)

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]13 December 1941[/font]
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Whether this day turns out lucky or not will be decided much later.

subs: The British DDs are still hunting near Toboali. I-154 took one non-direct hit from Jupiter today.

Pacific: Kaveing was invaded by fast transport today. The 4 CA 4 DD are there as well. Trying to get a bit in before the CVs show up.

There is a serious possibility that he could shut me out of Rabaul in this game. I want Mavis here or as far South as possible to see if something is coming so I at least have a chance to get historical territory.

Either my Nells suck or there are no planes at Wake. The DL is only 3 today. I hate not having eyes. One more day of it to see for sure.

DEI: A very inconclusive battle to start the night phase with some of the Allied cruisers meeting our inept SCTF that doesn't seem to want to fight. They are going back to the barn.

Interesting this group split. I wonder if some of the DDs were injured or just out of ammo?

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Balabac at 69,84, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
CA Ashigara
CL Kuma, Shell hits 1
DD Asakaze
DD Matsukaze

Allied Ships
CL Java, Shell hits 1
CL De Ruyter
CL Tromp
DD Edsall


Reduced sighting due to 28% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 28% moonlight: 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 9,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 9,000 yards
de Meester, J.B. crosses the 'T'
CL Tromp engages CL Kuma at 9,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Java at 9,000 yards
DD Edsall engages DD Matsukaze at 9,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Edsall at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 10,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL Tromp at 10,000 yards
CL De Ruyter engages CL Kuma at 10,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Java at 10,000 yards
DD Edsall engages DD Matsukaze at 10,000 yards
DD Edsall engages DD Asakaze at 10,000 yards
Range closes to 9,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL Tromp at 9,000 yards
DD Edsall engages DD Matsukaze at 9,000 yards
CL Tromp engages CA Ashigara at 9,000 yards
CL Kuma engages CL De Ruyter at 9,000 yards
CL Java engages CA Maya at 9,000 yards
DD Matsukaze engages DD Edsall at 9,000 yards
Range increases to 11,000 yards
CA Ashigara engages CL Tromp at 11,000 yards
CA Maya engages CL De Ruyter at 11,000 yards
CL Java engages CL Kuma at 11,000 yards
DD Edsall engages DD Matsukaze at 11,000 yards
DD Asakaze engages DD Edsall at 11,000 yards
Task forces break off...

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Talaud-eilanden was invaded with a AF Coy. It will provide more search. After a few Mindanao and Eastern Luzon invasions go, then I'll move into the Clelebes most likely.

China: Hong Kong falls! That was nice and fast. Now he's got two subs posted to hunt my minesweepers no doubt. I'll send two AMc over to get it started. ASW TFs will post just outside Hong Kong in case his subs are on 1 hex react.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 23892 troops, 337 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 673

Defending force 5571 troops, 116 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 128

Japanese adjusted assault: 502

Allied adjusted defense: 153

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
349 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled


Allied ground losses:
6052 casualties reported
Squads: 277 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 437 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 154 (154 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 92 (92 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 6


Assaulting units:
38th Division
66th Infantry Regiment
19th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Ind.Inf.Group
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th RF Gun Battalion
2nd RF Gun Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
Rifles of Canada Battalion
1st Middlesex Battalion
Winnipeg Grenadiers Battalion
Kowloon Brigade
102nd RN Base Force
Hong Kong Fortress

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I was wrong about the units at Wenchow. It's a base force, one biggish Corps, and an HQ. The 33rd division landed there today in what will be an interesting experiment. Another division is on the way. A screen shot will come to show what's happening here later.

Lucky 13th? We'll see.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Wenchow (89,58)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 9732 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 430

Defending force 12316 troops, 120 guns, 31 vehicles, Assault Value = 434

Assaulting units:
100th Chinese Corps
25th Group Army
14th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
33rd Div /3

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Malaya: Just South of Alor Star the stack of Rgts and tanks will take on what appears to be a rear guard action. Victoria Point will fall tomorrow. The ships there were indeed taking out the base force.

No other news.

PI: Sweeps were intended to go over Clark today, but weather shut us out. Maybe tomorrow. 67 fighters are listed there. I'm trying for one big sweep with LR CAP over Manila. We'll see if it goes.

Mindanao invasions loading at Babeldaob and supported by a BB SCTF.

B-17s today went for a city strike on Taihoku today, hitting Manpower!?! I wonder if he meant to hit oil? One bomber down to ops and this:
[font="Trebuchet MS"]Manpower hits 3
Fires 2145[/font]
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[JocMeister]

Cool pictures! Where do you get them?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Cool pictures! Where do you get them?

I've been getting together a bit of a collection, just from the internet. I learn lot by finding out what the actual things looked like of pixel versions that I'm moving around. Photography is my job but also my main interest, so it all kind of spills over into everything else. The only tough part playing the Japanese side is that there are many fewer pics floating around. And almost none of cute 40's Japanese pin-up models, which is a real shame. [:)]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

This is where the creative risk is being taking for a larger strategic gain right now. It may backfire, but it may be just fine. It depends on what I can get in the next few weeks. Looking at the opening units in Wenchow, there is only one Corps plus a base force and an engineer unit. Torsten is trying to reinforce, but his troops are a full two weeks away, maybe more if I bomb heavily. I will have another division and a Rgt on the way in the next few days.

So if I can pick this up quickly, it's a huge boon to the Chinese campaign for not much (if any) loss of speed in the SRA. I still have to herd the British into Singers and then get those divisions put together and rested, and I can't invade Java just yet! [;)]

So this is a 3 weeks max experiment based on a thought from SqzMyLemon. If the base doesn't go down quickly, the Chinese units will be ready and waiting to continue the attack and capture the base as the unrestricted units are brought to Malaya.

During my other current game I brought all available troops to Singapore and got the base on February 1. The 3 weeks here, then a move to Malaya, getting these troops there by mid-January, should be on schedule.

Hi obvert,

I see you're getting some Flak for the Wenchow idea. Have you moved the BB's from the Home Islands yet? If you want to take Wenchow even faster, form a two BB and whatever other surface ships you like and base them at Takao. Then bombard Wenchow as often as you can. The disruption caused from two to three bombardments by battleships will be decisive. Launch a deliberate attack in conjuction with a final bombardment and I think Wenchow won't be a problem for long.

I also disagree that the two divisions will not be available for Singapore in time. By the time your troops have marched down the peninsula you'll have taken Mersing and you can land the divisions that much closer to Singapore. In the meantime, rather than schlepping it down to Singapore, they will deny a supply producing base to the Chinese. With Torsten's aggressive stance in China, denying any supply production and preventing him bogging you down seems worth the use of these two divisions in the short term to me.

Use a strong bombardment TF to hammer Wenchow a few times and see how long it holds. Not long I trust.

Again, just my thoughts.

[Grfin Zeppelin]

ORIGINAL: obvert

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Cool pictures! Where do you get them?

I've been getting together a bit of a collection, just from the internet. I learn lot by finding out what the actual things looked like of pixel versions that I'm moving around. Photography is my job but also my main interest, so it all kind of spills over into everything else. The only tough part playing the Japanese side is that there are many fewer pics floating around. And almost none of cute 40's Japanese pin-up models, which is a real shame. [:)]

[:D]

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]14 December 1941[/font]
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At least one CV located the hard way and a further risk.

subs: I-123 hits xAK Bengalen, one of the last to leave the PI, and it burns. So fuel was the cargo.

I-162 hits xAK Silverbeech with two.

Pacific: CA Portland shows up and takes out another xAKL moving to the West of Wake toward the HI. The fast transport is sighted, and will move off to the North toward Marcus. Mostly because of another threat just pinpointed though.

The two AMCs from the Southern Pacific made their way to their deaths by moving between Johnston Island and the Marshalls.

This looks like one CV. It's close enough to get to Wake in time, and in fact nearly close enough to sprint toward the fast transport TF. I have no fighters in the area, but most of the ships have moved back to Truk. Both IJN fighter groups are on fast ships to Tokyo to upgrade. Claudes wouldn't ave helped anyway.

So no Wake invasion for now. Probably not for a while. But I'll keep my forces ready.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Wake Island at 145,96

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 4
F4F-3 Wildcat x 2
SBD-2 Dauntless x 15
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15


No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
AMC Aikoku Maru, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Hokoku Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage


Aircraft Attacking:
15 x SBD-3 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
7 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 4000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb
4 x SBD-2 Dauntless releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 1000 lb SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Aikoku Maru
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AMC Hokoku Maru

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Shortlands was invaded by the 4 CA 4 DD TF used as a fast transport after it supported the Kaveign landing. I had the units pre-loaded from Truk. This makes me breathe a bit down here. At least I can get search in deep and see what is coming now.

Finschafen is also invaded on New Guinea.

DEI: Both Kuching and Singkawang were invaded by today. BBs are supporting Singkawang. Looks like there may be some PTs coming up to harass, but no Force Z yet. Tomorrow both bases should fall and search will move in plus some Zeros and Tojos.

Miri and Jesselton invasions are loading.

I also did find out that the captain of Ashigara is terrible, and had an aggression rating of 49! No wonder they were avoiding combat.

PI: PTs came to visit Vigan, but were repulsed this time.

China: Just seeing all of those transports sail past I thought, well, if I'm going to do it I may as well really do it.

Three and elements of a fourth division will al land and hope to take Wenchow. The other Corps got to the road much faster than it seems it should have, especially since it was bombed for 30 disabled infantry units last turn. My forces will catch it, but just before it arrives in Wenchow most likely. So I'm going all in for a few weeks here. See what happens. 1500 AV should be enough against 1 Corps of 400 AV, even in good terrain.

Elsewhere in China, the Central area is getting interesting. Torsten is surely not sitting back. I like that. Not sure what he's up to yet, but I have some ideas. At Kweilin 22 fighters moved in. AVG? I have to be careful and escort everything tomorrow, as well as sweeping Wenchow with Zeros from the passing mini-KB moving toward the DEI.

A screenshot if below.


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[JocMeister]

How long before you can sort out your airforce in China?

I think he is making a mistake by being agressive in China. There are not supply enough for it and all the Chinese forces are paper tigers. Lots of AV and no punch. Really looking forward to seeing this side of China!

[SqzMyLemon]

Looks like the Chinese are attempting to isolate your entire position from Sinyang to Nanchang. I'd focus on keeping the Hankow to Anking route open as well as clearing the railway to Shanghai to allow reinforcements to Hankow via Anking. Don't neglect to use the river to get supply to Hankow and Wuchang. You can also reinforce Hankow with units bought out for use in China via the river if need be. I'd also move along the main road to Sinyang to reopen the eastern hexside behind that Chinese LCU. The Japanese, as you know, are vulnerable to a Chinese attack early, since you are not massed and have to get garrison requirements sorted out to free up more force for offensive operations. Don't panic. Keep your LOC's open and moving troops forward. Don't be afraid to abandon Nanchang or the base to the N.E. if you have to. I'd deny the Chinese any chance to maul you in detail, if it means a temporary withdrawal, so be it. Remember, everything the Chinese can take now is only temporary, once you get sorted out it's a different story.

I think a Chinese offensive against a good Japanese opponent is a mistake. Don't let reacting to Torsten's moves make you think you've lost control, you haven't. Japan's position at start in China isn't ideal and this is simply an early exploitation of that fact. Guard your LOC's, don't get LCU's trashed and move combat troops forward as you free them from garrison duty. Once you get your ducks in order, kick his butt! I think you know what you are doing and have the right idea how to counter, as you stated earlier.

With losing the three CV's, what is the limit of your expansion to be?

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

How long before you can sort out your airforce in China?

I think he is making a mistake by being agressive in China. There are not supply enough for it and all the Chinese forces are paper tigers. Lots of AV and no punch. Really looking forward to seeing this side of China!

Three groups have Sally Ic now and are operational in China, as of last turn. There is another Sally unit operating from Formosa that will be needed in the PI soon. I will move over a few from Malaya to China, leaving about 100 bombers there to deal with Singapore. Gradually, as I have PPs, I will buy out 1E groups and upgrade to Sallys. It'll be about 2 weeks before I'm really set up to kick ass. For now I can pinpoint attack, but nothing wide ranging simultaneously.

I will focus on his threats now, then expand.

The fighters will need to be upgraded as well. Oscar Ic are coming on line quickly. One 12 plane groups is upgrading currently. Once all of the starting groups upgrade, I'll get some in from the Malaya side and use them in China as well.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Looks like the Chinese are attempting to isolate your entire position from Sinyang to Nanchang. I'd focus on keeping the Hankow to Anking route open as well as clearing the railway to Shanghai to allow reinforcements to Hankow via Anking. Don't neglect to use the river to get supply to Hankow and Wuchang. You can also reinforce Hankow with units bought out for use in China via the river if need be. I'd also move along the main road to Sinyang to reopen the eastern hexside behind that Chinese LCU. The Japanese, as you know, are vulnerable to a Chinese attack early, since you are not massed and have to get garrison requirements sorted out to free up more force for offensive operations. Don't panic. Keep your LOC's open and moving troops forward. Don't be afraid to abandon Nanchang or the base to the N.E. if you have to. I'd deny the Chinese any chance to maul you in detail, if it means a temporary withdrawal, so be it. Remember, everything the Chinese can take now is only temporary, once you get sorted out it's a different story.

I think a Chinese offensive against a good Japanese opponent is a mistake. Don't let reacting to Torsten's moves make you think you've lost control, you haven't. Japan's position at start in China isn't ideal and this is simply an early exploitation of that fact. Guard your LOC's, don't get LCU's trashed and move combat troops forward as you free them from garrison duty. Once you get your ducks in order, kick his butt! I think you know what you are doing and have the right idea how to counter, as you stated earlier.

With losing the three CV's, what is the limit of your expansion to be?

Thanks Joseph. I agree. Lots of great advice. You can be my China guru if this Wenchow thing works out! [;)]

I think it's not best strategic play to attack for the Chinese right now, and I will try to take advantage of it if not sooner, then definitely later. I won't abandon bases though. If he really means to attack I'm all for that. Nanchang is in the clear, meaning I can bomb him to dust, and it's got level 4 forts. With 1000 AV sitting there, he's not getting it, period.

I do use the river a lot. Hankow is a great port in the interior. I've got supply destined to land there leaving the HI now.

As for maneuvering and getting garrisons sorted, it's coming along. It helps I did this fairly recently. He's also trying to contest the North. I'll post something on that in a bit. I'm dealing with that roughly, and he'll be knocked back soon with losses. That's the great advantage of the IJA in China. The forces have staying power even when they are in tough combat. The Chinese do not.

It looks like he's going for Sinyang too, which IS a vulnerable spot, but it's also good terrain. I have yet to see a successful Chinese attack in good terrain. We'll see how this one goes. If I get a few units torn up, I still feel the Chinese will get worse, plus use a lot of supply doing it.

[Captain Cruft]

Gradually, as I have PPs, I will buy out 1E groups and upgrade to Sallys.

Are you sure you wouldn't rather convert the light bombers to Nicks? A vastly more useful plane than the Sally.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Gradually, as I have PPs, I will buy out 1E groups and upgrade to Sallys.

Are you sure you wouldn't rather convert the light bombers to Nicks? A vastly more useful plane than the Sally.

Later I'd like to have a lot of Nicks. Right now it's not an option. I'm thinking only in the next month for now.

[JocMeister]

Sounds like you are on a good and clear path

[Q-Ball]

Catching up on this AAR....I am not going to look at Historiker's anymore, because I would like to see you come back from 3 CVs down. That would be quite a feat.

RE: China, I think Squeeze is dead-on; Chinese units in the open should be easily rolled by you the minute you can get a decent unit there. Sort out the garrison requirements, and get a few divisions freed-up; you should be able to turn this to your advantage. Chinese units in open terrain fold VERY easy, so don't be afraid to attack them fast.

RE: SRA, you need to get to Palembang ASAP. If he reinforces it, you are dead meat. Get one of the Malayan convoys, covered by the Kongo BBs and as many cruisers as you can. Bomb the crap out of Singapore from Khota Bharu, to keep Torps bombers under control; you probably can't shut Singapore down, but you can make it hard to use for a few days. You need to get Kuching or Singkawang ASAP to provide LRCAP over the Palembang invasion, but it may be too late to do that. You need to get to Palembang by December 20th at the very latest; any later and it's too late. You don't need very many Zeros as LRCAP to counter the torp bombers, because Vildebeests and Swords are defenseless vs. Zeros. (and a Buffalo escort won't help much)

I can't stress enough how important it is to get to Palembang.

RE: Rabaul, he can't really deny Rabaul to you in the intermediate term, without using his CVs. There are no land-based fighers available that can get to Rabaul in less than a month.


Looking Ahead
RE: CVs, from the prior shot it looks like AKAGI is undamaged, and Shokaku and Soryu look to need maybe a month in dry dock. Is that about right?

If that is correct, around Feb 1, you will have temporary CV superiority in the Pacific. You should have the following:

CV: Akagi, Shokaku, Soryu
CVL: Ryujo, Shoho, Zuiho

That's about 310 A/C, or the rough equivalent of 4 early USN CVs. Before the 4/42 flak upgrades, and with Devastators instead of Avengers, and your high-quality pilots, you will have a slight edge if you keep them all together.

So, I think Feb 1 through Mar 30th is your best window to get something done outside the SRA. Until then, focus on the SRA, because you can support with LBA.

Have a plan for when Feb 1 hits. You don't have a ton of time, but you need to minimally clear the Solomons, Wake, and get Port Moresby. You should still have enough to accomplish these things in time and ships.

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Sounds like you are on a good and clear path

Only time wil tell! [:)]

You never know when a runaway bus is going to cut across your path!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Catching up on this AAR....I am not going to look at Historiker's anymore, because I would like to see you come back from 3 CVs down. That would be quite a feat.

RE: China, I think Squeeze is dead-on; Chinese units in the open should be easily rolled by you the minute you can get a decent unit there. Sort out the garrison requirements, and get a few divisions freed-up; you should be able to turn this to your advantage. Chinese units in open terrain fold VERY easy, so don't be afraid to attack them fast.

RE: SRA, you need to get to Palembang ASAP. If he reinforces it, you are dead meat. Get one of the Malayan convoys, covered by the Kongo BBs and as many cruisers as you can. Bomb the crap out of Singapore from Khota Bharu, to keep Torps bombers under control; you probably can't shut Singapore down, but you can make it hard to use for a few days. You need to get Kuching or Singkawang ASAP to provide LRCAP over the Palembang invasion, but it may be too late to do that. You need to get to Palembang by December 20th at the very latest; any later and it's too late. You don't need very many Zeros as LRCAP to counter the torp bombers, because Vildebeests and Swords are defenseless vs. Zeros. (and a Buffalo escort won't help much)

I can't stress enough how important it is to get to Palembang.

RE: Rabaul, he can't really deny Rabaul to you in the intermediate term, without using his CVs. There are no land-based fighers available that can get to Rabaul in less than a month.

Thanks Q-Ball. Your AAR and that of Canoerebel got me hooked on this game, and although I'm attending weekly meetings I still can't kick it.

Palembang is a must, and is coming as fast as I can get there. I have some concerns about that area I'll detail in my next post. A Brigade is loading and ready to move out from Takao, and it will go flank speed once it's within range. The 20th is pushing it, but I'll try.

Singkawang and Kuching are just about taken. Details coming up.

As for China, a bunch of unit will start moving in the next few days. I just need fighters to cover the bombers, and then I can go to work.

As for Rabaul, that's what I'm worried about. Him covering Rabaul with the CVs. Not sure he could keep it up for long enough, but he could for a while. Search is moving in, at any rate, and we'll know soon what is up.

[obvert]

[font="Times New Roman"]15 December 1941[/font]
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A big turn. At least I now know where all of the Allied ships have gone!

DEI: Transports continued to unload at Singkawang. I thought about removing them and coming back later to unload some remaining support troops, and in the future that might be a good plan.

A massive armada hit the IJN and the BBs stood tall. Kongo and Haruna started the battle by sinking two of the old DDs, then pounded PoW into submission. Amazing of course that Boise goes untouched. Grrrr. All in all, while my fingernails are considerably shorter, this turned out to be a good day.

After the battle the Haruna is left with 32 system damage and 26 flood, 17 engine. It's moving about 5 hexes a day, so hopefully can make it to port without further intervention.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 5,000 Yards

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Walrus II: 1 destroyed
SOC-1 Seagull: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo, Shell hits 2
BB Haruna, Shell hits 17, on fire
CA Atago, Shell hits 1
DD Oshio
DD Arashio
DD Hibiki

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 41, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
BC Repulse, Shell hits 1
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 2
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
CL Boise
DD John D. Edwards
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
DD Parrott
DD Whipple, Shell hits 15, and is sunk
DD Stewart, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Tenedos
DD Thracian, Shell hits 2

Reduced sighting due to 10% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions and 10% moonlight: 7,000 yards
Range closes to 15,000 yards...
Range closes to 9,000 yards...
Range closes to 5,000 yards...
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 5,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 5,000 yards
BB Haruna engages BB Prince of Wales at 5,000 yards
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After this another massive TF rolled in and wiped clean the APs and a couple of DDs. So the victory is bittersweet, but it had to happen. This was a must take base.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Time Surface Combat, near Singkawang at 56,88, Range 22,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
DD Yamakaze, Shell hits 9, and is sunk
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 19, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CA Exeter, Shell hits 3
CL Dauntless
CL Ceres
CL Glasgow
CL Caledon
DD Banckert
DD Van Nes, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Witte de With
DD Evertsen, Shell hits 1
DD Kortenaer
DD Piet Hein

Maximum visibility in Partly Cloudy Conditions: 28,000 yards
CONTACT: Japanese lookouts spot Allied task force at 22,000 yards
CONTACT: Allied lookouts spot Japanese task force at 22,000 yards
DD Suzukaze engages CA Exeter at 22,000 yards
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Singkawang fell today. Kuching held on, but should go down tomorrow.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kuching (58,88)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1877 troops, 7 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 126

Defending force 1477 troops, 9 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 47

Japanese adjusted assault: 47

Allied adjusted defense: 21

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

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


Allied ground losses:
122 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
II./124th Infantry Battalion
Yokosuka 2nd SNLF
8th JAAF AF Coy

Defending units:
Sarawak Force
2/15 Punjab Battalion
106th RN Base Force

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[/font]
Another night battle took place nearby with a bunch of British CLs. Inconclusive, even though [font="Trebuchet MS"]Omi, I. crosses the 'T' [/font].

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near Kuching at 58,88, Range 3,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Takao, Shell hits 6
DD Michishio
DD Akatsuki, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shirakumo
DD Hatsuyuki

Allied Ships
CL Danae
CL Dragon, Shell hits 5
CL Durban, Shell hits 1
DD Van Ghent
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China: Another division landed at Wenchow.

Bombing is commencing all over the place. Mainly focused on the unit going to Wenchow, that base's airfield, units around Nanchang.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Wenchow , at 89,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 5 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 5
D3A1 Val x 3
Ki-27b Nate x 8



No Japanese losses



Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 10

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x D3A1 Val bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
5 x B5N1 Kate bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on 88th Chinese Corps, at 90,57 , near Shaohing

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 27 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 23



No Japanese losses


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


Aircraft Attacking:
23 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb



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Morning Air attack on Wenchow , at 89,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 34 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 19
Ki-27b Nate x 12
Ki-30 Ann x 7


Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-30 Ann: 1 damaged


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


Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 4
Runway hits 22

Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-IIa Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb
7 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb


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Morning Air attack on Wenchow , at 89,58

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-30 Ann x 15


No Japanese losses


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
15 x Ki-30 Ann bombing from 6000 feet
Airfield Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb


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Morning Air attack on 89th Chinese/C Corps, at 90,49 , near Pengpu

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 12 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 19


No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
199 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 89th Chinese/A Corps ...
Also attacking 89th Chinese/C Corps ...
Also attacking 89th Chinese/A Corps ...
Also attacking 89th Chinese/C Corps ...

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Morning Air attack on 3rd Prov Chinese Corps, at 92,35 (Kweisui)

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-Ic Sally x 10


No Japanese losses


Aircraft Attacking:
10 x Ki-21-Ic Sally bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Also attacking 11th Chinese Corps ...
Also attacking 3rd Prov Chinese Corps ...

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Morning Air attack on 21st Chinese Corps, at 85,55 , near Nanchang

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-48-Ib Lily x 19
Ki-51 Sonia x 9

No Japanese losses


Allied ground losses:
42 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Aircraft Attacking:
19 x Ki-48-Ib Lily bombing from 6000 feet *
Ground Attack: 2 x 100 kg GP Bomb
9 x Ki-51 Sonia bombing from 6000 feet
Ground Attack: 4 x 50 kg GP Bomb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/font]

In the North at Paotow an ambitious Chinese Corps was pushed back into the plains in a solid 2 to 1 attack. There are three more that need dealing with at Kweisui. I have 500 AV there and and I'll set them to bombard today to see what is across the lines.

[font="Trebuchet MS"]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Paotow (92,34)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9245 troops, 111 guns, 192 vehicles, Assault Value = 329

Defending force 4493 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 166

Japanese adjusted assault: 213

Allied adjusted defense: 91

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1828 casualties reported
Squads: 92 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 49 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 14 (5 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Units retreated 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
11th Indpt Infantry Regiment
26th Engineer Regiment
1st Cavalry Brigade
4th Cavalry Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
26th Recon Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
81st Chinese Corps

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[/font]

Malaya: Moved into Georgetown. Moving on Taiping.

PI: More units beginning to pile in. Again my sweeps don't fly. Bad weather at both of our bases and at Manila. Not happy about that. Wasting me time.

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ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

Looking Ahead
RE: CVs, from the prior shot it looks like AKAGI is undamaged, and Shokaku and Soryu look to need maybe a month in dry dock. Is that about right?

If that is correct, around Feb 1, you will have temporary CV superiority in the Pacific. You should have the following:

CV: Akagi, Shokaku, Soryu
CVL: Ryujo, Shoho, Zuiho

That's about 310 A/C, or the rough equivalent of 4 early USN CVs. Before the 4/42 flak upgrades, and with Devastators instead of Avengers, and your high-quality pilots, you will have a slight edge if you keep them all together.

So, I think Feb 1 through Mar 30th is your best window to get something done outside the SRA. Until then, focus on the SRA, because you can support with LBA.

Have a plan for when Feb 1 hits. You don't have a ton of time, but you need to minimally clear the Solomons, Wake, and get Port Moresby. You should still have enough to accomplish these things in time and ships.

I have been thinking about when that short period would be. Thank you for laying it out so clearly.

Yes, you're right about the CV repair timetable. I know there will be a minescule moment when I can act. That said, knowing Torsten, he might just take his chances then and go all out to see if he can win a CV battle and give me a knockout blow.

Now that I know I have Shortlands, Kaveing, and Finschafen, that should be a good basis for taking the rest of the Solomons without CV support. I will have the first two of the other CV Zero groups in March, so that's perfect timing.

Wake will be tough. Looks like he's got a CM TF on the way now. Not sure how easy it'll be to clear mines with CD guns in the base. I might just have to go all out and lose some stuff to get it.

Also, I'd like to get to Tabiteuaea in the Gilberts.

Priority will be the Solomons though.

[Q-Ball]

That surface combat, BTW, is a good result for you. As the Japanese player, it makes me nervous when those 2 Kongos go against Force Z. You came out ahead, with PoW at the bottom. Too bad REPULSE didn't take more damage, otherwise you could consider them off the board.

If you haven't already, get some of the HYUGA/FUSO types down there to the SRA. They are more expendible than the Kongos, and should punish REPULSE if she does try to interfere. And they aren't going to do you much good elsewhere, without CV support. You might as well flood the SRA with the surface fleet at this point, and flush out the Allies.

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ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

That surface combat, BTW, is a good result for you. As the Japanese player, it makes me nervous when those 2 Kongos go against Force Z. You came out ahead, with PoW at the bottom. Too bad REPULSE didn't take more damage, otherwise you could consider them off the board.

If you haven't already, get some of the HYUGA/FUSO types down there to the SRA. They are more expendible than the Kongos, and should punish REPULSE if she does try to interfere. And they aren't going to do you much good elsewhere, without CV support. You might as well flood the SRA with the surface fleet at this point, and flush out the Allies.

Yes. Nervous is definitely the word. For the Allies they're expendable, but IJN BBs are not.

There are 4 BB holding the Sulu Sea momentarily while I go for Jolo. Then they will move to support a landing in Eastern Luzon, which needs to be soon. After that they'll support a try for Palembang.

Another two are running an invasion to Davao, and will keep shuttling forces to various bases there for a week or so. The big action off of Singkawang gives me confidence that I can act over here with relative safety for a few days.

Ternate is on the list as well if the coast remains clear and the Houston doesn't reappear.