Rumble in the Southwest witpqs-A vs Andav-J 2011-11-29 to 2017-02-08

[witpqs]

I'm having a major supply problem at Tennant Creek, so I fear my follow up toward Daly Waters will be weak. I can't even supply fighters flying out of Tennant Creek. With the level of combat forces I had to deploy to hold the place there hasn't even been enough supply for the engineers to build! Catch-22: I need to build the base to draw in more supplies, and I have too few supplies to build the base.

Yeah, some of the units in Australia that took a beating are heading back toward Darwin, et al. Mostly small recon units, but now those two infantry regiments too. It would be nice to deal them a blow if I can catch them. At Cox's Bazar in India one regiment got thrown back with losses, and two more (hopefully) will join them this current turn when the place is liberated. In China there has been much blood on both sides and several IJA units have been effectively smashed and been seen moving rearward (I'm sure they'll be back but it's good to get a breather). In Burma the early campaign was much in favor of the Allies with some hurt put on the IJA and their minions, but of late the Allies have taken a fearsome beating that has at least brought things even there.

Here is the Intel screen (bonus graphic!). I'm just glad to have better than a 1 to 10 ratio in LCU points.

[witpqs]

1942 July 06

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Chittagong was hit again.

Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIb Trop: 8 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 1 destroyed on ground
P-39D Airacobra: 2 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Ise
BB Yamashiro
CA Ashigara
CA Maya
DD Shinonome
DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki


Allied ground losses:
93 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 16

BB Ise firing at Chittagong
BB Yamashiro firing at Chittagong Fortress
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for BB Mutsu
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for CA Ashigara
CA Ashigara firing at 27th Infantry Division
CA Maya firing at Chittagong Fortress
DD Shinonome firing at 27th Infantry Division
DD Hibiki firing at Chittagong Fortress
Chittagong Fortress firing at DD Hibiki
DD Akatsuki firing at 27th Infantry Division

The base stands at PD:0%, ASD:59%, ARD:28%. Base personnel are quite rattled. Down the road at Cox's Bazar the Allies finally prevailed.

Ground combat at Cox's Bazar (54,43)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36802 troops, 568 guns, 725 vehicles, Assault Value = 989

Defending force 6877 troops, 66 guns, 3 vehicles, Assault Value = 109

Allied adjusted assault: 634

Japanese adjusted defense: 43

Allied assault odds: 14 to 1 (fort level 1)

Allied forces CAPTURE Cox's Bazar !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
3629 casualties reported
Squads: 95 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 80 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 33 (32 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 2
Units destroyed 2


Allied ground losses:
207 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
3rd Carabiniers Regiment
7th Australian Division
43rd Cavalry Regiment
I Aus Corps Engineer Battalion
70th British Division
III Indian Corps
2/9th Field Regiment
2/1 AIF Pioneer Battalion
2/11th Field Regiment
2/2 AIF Pioneer Battalion
2/1st Med Regiment
21st Indian Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
21st/A Division
21st/C Division
36th Const Co
37th Const Co

Looks like a good tally with the two regiments in need of major rebuilding time.

Over in China the perilous situation continues, made worse by an error. I failed to realize that the hex side below Hengyang is closed to the Allies in need of crossing it until a unit moves up from Hengyang to open it. Those now desperate units will lose at least two turns of movement until that happens. They were attacked mercilessly from the air and then subjected to a ground attack. The saving grace was the arrival of the remaining troops from the south. But now, they are all in tough shape.

Ground combat at 80,54 (near Hengyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26281 troops, 210 guns, 28 vehicles, Assault Value = 798

Defending force 53035 troops, 323 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1506

Japanese adjusted assault: 502

Allied adjusted defense: 298

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2481 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 217 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1762 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 167 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled


Assaulting units:
39th Division
110th Division

Defending units:
49th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
10th Group Army
7th War Area
12th Group Army

Our attack near Changsha went well but not quite as well as we wanted.

Ground combat at 81,53 (near Changsha)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 75646 troops, 327 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2236

Defending force 26860 troops, 152 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 835

Allied adjusted assault: 1030

Japanese adjusted defense: 646

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3454 casualties reported
Squads: 55 destroyed, 187 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 18 disabled
Guns lost 57 (1 destroyed, 56 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
3174 casualties reported
Squads: 118 destroyed, 263 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 24 disabled
Guns lost 12 (1 destroyed, 11 disabled)


Assaulting units:
4th Chinese/B Corps
10th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
88th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps

Defending units:
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
55th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade

Here is the Intel screen for today so you can look at the differences form one turn ago.

[princep01]

Just bloody warfare.  The air losses are not outrageous, but they seem a bit above norm for both.  Sea losses about norm to modestly above for both.  Land losses just plain HIGH for IJ.  Are you still holding the Philipines?  Your land losses seem a bit low actually.  I think (I don't play them, so I don't know) probably replace infantry losses fairly well and with a human run economy, it should not be a problem to produce all the tank/artillery replecements they need, but I am still impressed with the casulaties you have inflicted.  In my previous games, I have not seen IJ land losses that high.
 
But, he is gaining a great deal of territory for the blood.  You'll have to check his advance soon, I'd think.

[witpqs]

No, the Philippines and all the routine expansion areas for the Empire are long gone. Post 326 on the previous page has an over map. I'll post an updated one with the next turn or two. The only place that I'm concerned about at this time is China. He felt that he couldn't get anywhere in China, but with patience he has.

Shortly I'll have 8 x B-17 groups in India (4 there now plus 4 more), and with the 2 USA and 2 Australian divisions will be pushing down the coast of Burma. I'm hoping that will relieve some pressure in China by causing some units to be diverted.

In the Pacific I have a feeling that many of the forward areas he conquered are basically empty. I'm setting up for recon and quick operations. I do believe that he poured a lot of units into China and that might be leaving him short of troops. That would explain why the dike is springing so many silly leaks there.

I didn't know that our air losses might be considered high. I thought they might be low because I've been trying to preserve useful forces long enough to train them and make them count for something.

Within two weeks the three Yorktown CVs will be in Hawaiian waters with the Lexington CVs a week behind. Wasp is already there training up her air groups. I won't know until the game is over and Walter is going through this AAR, but I think I got all five of those carriers to the West Coast undetected for upgrades.

[princep01]

Hummmm, I think you are right about the air losses.  My current game is exactly 2 months behind yours (May 6), and the IJ are playing much more conservatively.  Our respective loses are lower.  Right now, the Allies have lost 1120 and IJ a remarkable 980 by comparison.
 
Keep up the good work.  I really enjoy the AAR. 

[witpqs]

Whoa! Then our air losses are almost twice yours with only two additional months. I wonder how that compares to most PBMs?

[princep01]

Oh I am very certain that our experience is much below average in air losses.  My opponent is not an aggressive IJ player.  Palembang (not using the fortress, just a speedbump of Singapore evacuee), held out until 4/30, Clark Field is still mine, Rangoon is not only mine but also growing. I just retook Moulmein and am on the offensive in Burma.  Java is occupied only on its extreme eastern end.  China is doing okay and currently a stalemate.  We are fighting over New Caldonia, but I am well supplied and well dug in at both ends.  The latter may be the "tipping point" engagement in which he either wins the war by sinking my CVs or I kill of the units he has landed and switch over to the strategic offensive.
 
I believe he has a distinct strategy in all this though.  Based on his comments, it would appear he hopes to expand to roughly the historical boundary and then go over to the defensive while maintaining as much of his air force as possible.  I think he feels he is a better defensive player and hopes to wreck me when I have to come at his well manned defenses.
 
But the result has been unusually lower air losses.  No CVs have been lost, although the Brit CVs have been unusually busy.  They have sunk the Fuso (last turn), hit the Hyruga, finished off Haruna after a surface fight and battered some CAs.  We have had an unusually high number of surface battles, including several involving BB V BB.  Land losses Allies 4400 v IJA 840.
 
Just a different style of play than the usual highly aggressive Japanese attacks of those early months.

[witpqs]

1942 July 07

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


The air attacks in China are now massively concentrated on our endangered forces south of Hengyang. A relief unit opening an escape route (flipping a hex side to Hengyang) should complete its mission tomorrow. DAW appears to be waiting for the powerful pursuing army to catch up and deal our forces a death blow. Meanwhile, near Changsha our boys got some licks in.

Ground combat at 81,53 (near Changsha)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 69966 troops, 315 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1884

Defending force 23769 troops, 152 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 555

Allied adjusted assault: 929

Japanese adjusted defense: 766

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
3778 casualties reported
Squads: 198 destroyed, 87 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Engineers: 12 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 35 (28 destroyed, 7 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1635 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 166 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled


Assaulting units:
56th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps

Defending units:
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
55th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade

Even though 1 to 1, many IJA squads were destroyed! They will attack again tomorrow, although supplies are short for some units. If Imperial air power intervenes that will route our forces, but might give the units south of Hengyang a fighting chance to withdraw without utter destruction. Here is yet another look at the Intel screen.

[witpqs]

1942 July 08

The Empire captured:
Myitkyina

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Two Dutch subs scored on a poorly protected troop convoy heading toward Burma. Through diplomatic channels it was learned that the destroyers on escort possessed no anti-submarine weapons. Troop losses were light but perhaps the ships will sink before making port.

The Empire attacked to the west of Changteh. Our reduced force there was still plenty.

Ground combat at 80,50 (near Changteh)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26174 troops, 179 guns, 24 vehicles, Assault Value = 786

Defending force 24003 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 636

Japanese adjusted assault: 461

Allied adjusted defense: 1687

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
1860 casualties reported
Squads: 9 destroyed, 217 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
408 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
61st Infantry Brigade
51st Infantry Brigade
27th Division

Defending units:
57th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army

Our own attack near Changsha came up short.

Ground combat at 81,53 (near Changsha)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 68625 troops, 315 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1732

Defending force 21223 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 490

Allied adjusted assault: 531

Japanese adjusted defense: 690

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2451 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 124 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 16 (4 destroyed, 12 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
2881 casualties reported
Squads: 15 destroyed, 253 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 28 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 20 disabled


Assaulting units:
74th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
70th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
56th Chinese Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps
4th Chinese/B Corps

Defending units:
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
55th Infantry Brigade
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade

The rescue unit opening the retreat path to Hengyang crossed the river and, predictably, fell on its sword.

Ground combat at 80,54 (near Hengyang)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 8243 troops, 37 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1493

Defending force 48417 troops, 482 guns, 175 vehicles, Assault Value = 1199

Allied adjusted assault: 0

Japanese adjusted defense: 939

Allied assault odds: 1 to 99

Combat modifiers
Defender: op mode(-), leaders(+), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)


Allied ground losses:
8356 casualties reported
Squads: 480 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 37 destroyed, 264 disabled
Engineers: 13 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 22 (22 destroyed, 0 disabled)


Assaulting units:
49th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
46th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
7th War Area
10th Group Army
12th Group Army

Defending units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
39th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
22nd/A Division
15th/A Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
4th Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
12th Army
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Note that the pursuing Imperial army has arrived. Our positions in the Changsha area are quickly unraveling. We must now pull troops in from the strong defensive positions in the woods outside Changsha because we lack other troops to defend the flanks.

For some reason our B-17 squadrons from Alice Springs did not fly against the airfield at Katherine. They will switch to ground attack (joining the B-26s) to aid our pursuing forces in attacking the Imperials outside Tennant Creek.

Here is a look at China.

[witpqs]

1942 July 09

The Empire captured:
Moa

The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Yamato showed up off of Cox's Bazar. Someone forgot to tell them the battle is over!

Night Naval bombardment of Cox's Bazar at 54,43

Japanese Ships
BB Yamato
CL Oi
CL Kitakami
DD Mikazuki
DD Yugiri
DD Asagiri
DD Shirayuki
DD Shirakumo
DD Ariake
DD Nenohi
DD Michishio
DD Asashio


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


E7K2 Alf acting as spotter for BB Yamato
BB Yamato firing at 70th British Division
CL Oi firing at 7th Australian Division
CL Kitakami firing at 70th British Division
DD Mikazuki firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Yugiri firing at 70th British Division
DD Asagiri firing at 7th Australian Division
DD Shirayuki firing at 70th British Division
DD Shirakumo firing at 70th British Division
DD Ariake firing at 70th British Division
DD Nenohi firing at 70th British Division
DD Michishio firing at 70th British Division
DD Asashio firing at 70th British Division

South of Hengyang, our forces were caught in the horrific mauling that I sagely predicted (like when you look up and see a speeding truck 3 inches away).

Ground combat at 80,54 (near Hengyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 45949 troops, 482 guns, 115 vehicles, Assault Value = 1203

Defending force 51460 troops, 327 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1257

Japanese adjusted assault: 775

Allied adjusted defense: 373

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2801 casualties reported
Squads: 10 destroyed, 271 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 26 (1 destroyed, 25 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
17074 casualties reported
Squads: 235 destroyed, 111 disabled
Non Combat: 673 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 25 destroyed, 25 disabled
Guns lost 39 (32 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 10


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
110th Division
2nd Ind.Mixed Regiment
22nd/A Division
39th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th/A Division
12th Army
4th Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
28th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
10th Group Army
46th Chinese Corps
7th War Area
12th Group Army

Will our forces take up new defensive positions in time? Stay tuned!

In a riposte for the kin overseas, the Allies outside of Tennant Creek dealt a further blow to the Empire's egregious egressing expatriates.

Ground combat at 76,136 (near Tennant Creek)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 9731 troops, 97 guns, 258 vehicles, Assault Value = 360

Defending force 5408 troops, 58 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 94

Allied adjusted assault: 159

Japanese adjusted defense: 32

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+), disruption(-), supply(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
2938 casualties reported
Squads: 109 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 70 destroyed, 29 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 15 (11 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 2


Allied ground losses:
10 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
192nd Tank Battalion
3rd Army Tank Brigade
2/6th Armoured Regiment
2/5th Armoured Regiment
27th Australian Brigade

Defending units:
36th Infantry Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment

Here is a peek.

[princep01]

Hummmm, while things are dicey at the moment in China and Burma, it would appear you have put the marauders in central Oz out of business.  It will take those two regiments awhile to recuperate.  If you can get some transport planes into Alice Springs, you may be able to get adequate supply forward (Tennant Creek) and overtake the sods.  Put a glorious end their battle histories forthwith:).

[witpqs]

1942 July 10

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


80nm NW Singapore, we see this in the combat report:

TF 86 encounters mine field at Batu Pahat (49,82)

Japanese Ships
CA Haguro, Mine hits 1, heavy damage



Magazine explodes on CA Haguro

CA Tone shows up on the sunk ships list. [:)]

USN SS Pike, guarding the Torres Strait, was attacked by an IJN destroyer. No idea what she was escorting of which direction she was traveling. The IJA, meanwhile, has taken to letting its tanks off the lease while the infantry stands back.

round combat at Changteh (81,50)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 978 troops, 17 guns, 142 vehicles, Assault Value = 887

Defending force 36858 troops, 117 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 887

Japanese adjusted assault: 90

Allied adjusted defense: 1099

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 12 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
11 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (1 destroyed, 36 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
126 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
13th Tank Regiment
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Tank Regiment
13th/A Division
17th/A Division
17th/B Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
13th/C Division
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
58th Chinese Corps
94th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
10th Construction Regiment
20th Group Army
32nd Group Army
14th Construction Regiment
6th War Area
11th Chinese Base Force


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 75,54 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3106 troops, 6 guns, 344 vehicles, Assault Value = 233

Defending force 31510 troops, 143 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1085

Japanese adjusted assault: 103

Allied adjusted defense: 1029

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 9

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

Japanese ground losses:
1013 casualties reported
Squads: 26 destroyed, 41 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
420 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)


Assaulting units:
56th Recon Regiment
5th Recon Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
7th Chinese Corps
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division

Much worse, there is now a seemingly endless stream of Imperial units bearing down on Liuchow, Kweilin, and the forest in between. Liuchow is being abandoned and I just don't know how long Kweilin will last. Presumably longer, but with so many units available to infiltrate everything is uncertain.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: princep01

Hummmm, while things are dicey at the moment in China and Burma, it would appear you have put the marauders in central Oz out of business.  It will take those two regiments awhile to recuperate.  If you can get some transport planes into Alice Springs, you may be able to get adequate supply forward (Tennant Creek) and overtake the sods.  Put a glorious end their battle histories forthwith:).

India to China has priority for USA C-37. USA C-33s are flying supply into Tennant Creek from Cloncurry, but it seems to make nary a dent. I've got pursuit going on the regiments to try and hit them one more time before getting in a real danger zone from Imperial air out of Katherine. I also have armored units screaming off across the desert to trap that tank regiment. That would be a nice prize.

[witpqs]

1942 July 11

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


We finally got B-17s to agree to fly against Katherine.

Morning Air attack on Katherine , at 76,128

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 16 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 29


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed on ground

No Allied losses

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



Airbase hits 29
Airbase supply hits 12
Runway hits 66

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
5 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
6 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

Katherine scouts as 58% at damage. If we can keep it suppressed that will free our hand a little farther north and west.

Our positions in the Changsha area are collapsing. An Imperial horde has crossed the river into Hengyang even faster than feared, before any battle-worthy reinforcements have arrived.

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 28534 troops, 321 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 681

Defending force 47244 troops, 356 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1027

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 889

Allied adjusted defense: 345

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: forts(+), disruption(-), preparation(-), experience(-)
supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-)

Japanese ground losses:
4849 casualties reported
Squads: 76 destroyed, 372 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 26 disabled
Guns lost 34 (2 destroyed, 32 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1249 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 106 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled


Assaulting units:
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
22nd/A Division
15th/A Division
2nd Mortar Battalion
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
65th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
14th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
7th War Area
12th Group Army
10th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force

The only saving grace is the heavy toll taken on the Empire's spear head. The nearest help is at least two more days out. If the Imperials are badly enough disrupted then Hengyang might hold for a bit. Did I mention that I'm an optimist?

Here is an update to the Intel screen to show the contrast with a few turns ago before the heavy casualties (on both sides).

[witpqs]

1942 July 12

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


News flash!

Coastwatcher Report: harbor at Darwin is reported empty

Chittagong, not so empty. In daylight:

Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
Lysander II: 9 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 18 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 35 damaged
Hurricane IIb Trop: 2 destroyed on ground
P-40E Warhawk: 14 damaged
P-40E Warhawk: 1 destroyed on ground

37 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kako
CA Furutaka
CA Mikuma
CL Tama
CL Kuma
CL Abukuma
DD Yudachi
DD Shiratsuyu
DD Shiranui
DD Kazegumo


Allied ground losses:
456 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 62 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 30 (4 destroyed, 26 disabled)


Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 16
Runway hits 62

CA Kako firing at 1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
1st Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at CA Kako
CA Furutaka firing at Chittagong
CA Mikuma firing at Americal Infantry Division
CL Tama firing at 3rd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
3rd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at CL Tama
CL Kuma firing at Chittagong Fortress
Chittagong Fortress firing at CL Kuma
CL Abukuma firing at 27th Infantry Division
DD Yudachi firing at Americal Infantry Division
DD Shiranui firing at Chittagong
DD Kazegumo firing at 27th Infantry Division

Four dedicated CD units plus the fortress with CD guns, no hits. We also lost 5 x B-17 on another mission against Katherine, which is back to only 38% damaged. Those three B-17 groups have stood down, and the other two will go tomorrow.

Hengyang is on the brink of disaster, or as I like to call it, Thursday. During the replay I am certain that I saw the Japanese forces shock attack, achieve 2 to 1 odds, and reduce the forts to 0 as a result. In the combat report I see the Japanese forces shock attacked, got 1 to 2 odds, and did not reduce the forts. I've notified Walter, er, Devious Admiral Wa. But there is nothing we can do about it except to conclude that first reports from the front were a bit, oh, optimistic on the part of the Emperor's minions.

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 25007 troops, 319 guns, 91 vehicles, Assault Value = 364

Defending force 46152 troops, 356 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 942

Japanese adjusted assault: 164

Allied adjusted defense: 177

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
4199 casualties reported
Squads: 103 destroyed, 176 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 29 disabled


Allied ground losses:
592 casualties reported
Squads: 22 destroyed, 33 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)


Assaulting units:
110th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
22nd/A Division
15th/A Division
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
12th Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
65th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
28th Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
10th Group Army
7th War Area
12th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force

There is a possibility that Hengyang will be relieved before it falls, but only a possibility. The troops from the plain across the river are being bombed into uselessness and they are the closest.

Another tank-only attack comes in, this one doing almost nothing.

Ground combat at 75,54 (near Kweilin)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 67 vehicles, Assault Value = 155

Defending force 30915 troops, 142 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1010

Japanese adjusted assault: 4

Allied adjusted defense: 481

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 120

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

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 25 (1 destroyed, 24 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
43 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Assaulting units:
5th Recon Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
3rd Prov Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
38th New Chinese Division

Word through diplomatic channels: the shock attack at Hengyang was an oversight. Here is a look at the debacle.

[witpqs]

1942 July 13

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Although nothing was seen during replay, we have this in the combat report.

TF 285 encounters mine field at Sydney (90,167)

Japanese Ships
SSX Ha-10, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

There are also reports of the IJN clearing the minefield that killed Tone. As presaged by their daylight appearance yesterday, the Imperials cruisers made additional firing passes close in to Chittagong.

Night Naval bombardment of Chittagong at 55,41 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

50 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
CA Kako, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
CA Furutaka
CA Mikuma
CL Kuma
CL Abukuma
DD Shiratsuyu


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


E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Kako
CA Kako firing at Chittagong Fortress
Chittagong Fortress firing at CA Kako
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Furutaka
CA Furutaka firing at 2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment
2nd Indian Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at CA Furutaka
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CA Mikuma
CA Mikuma firing at Chittagong
E13A1 Jake acting as spotter for CL Tama
Chittagong Fortress firing at CL Kuma
CL Kuma firing at Chittagong Fortress
Chittagong Fortress firing at CL Abukuma
CL Abukuma firing at Chittagong Fortress
DD Shiratsuyu firing at Americal Infantry Division

This time things went a bit differently! A bit of a surprise considering that all the CD units had sky high disruption after yesterday's pounding. Speaking of poundings, there were no Imperial ground attacks in China, but the murderous aerial bombardments continued. A stream of 8 squadrons all flying with full complements darkened the sky over Akyab.

Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 30 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 35
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 9



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 64
P-39D Airacobra x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed on ground

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 2 damaged
P-39D Airacobra: 4 destroyed



Airbase hits 18
Airbase supply hits 7
Runway hits 72

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb
8 x B-17E Fortress bombing from 10000 feet
Airfield Attack: 8 x 500 lb GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
50th Sentai with Ki-43-Ic Oscar (7 airborne, 15 on standby, 13 scrambling)
7 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 9000 , scrambling fighters to 9000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 30 minutes
4 planes vectored on to bombers
64th Sentai Det with Ki-44-IIa Tojo (2 airborne, 4 on standby, 3 scrambling)
2 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 19000 , scrambling fighters to 19000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers

Alice Springs was socked in by weather, and the target assigned to B-25s out of Cloncurry has disappeared into the desert.

Here is a look at Burma.

[witpqs]

1942 July 14

The Empire captured:


The Allies captured:


There were Imperial amphibious operations at:


There were Allied amphibious operations at:


Trout picked a working torpedo from inventory, a good omen for the day.

Submarine attack near Tanegashima at 104,68

Japanese Ships
xAK Kurogane Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Trout

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)



xAK Kurogane Maru is sighted by SS Trout
SS Trout launches 4 torpedoes at xAK Kurogane Maru

In our own (defensive ground support) air attacks on Warazup we learned the the Empire has 3 full divisions present there: 14th, 33rd, 38th.

The air attack on Katherine went otherwise well, but cost us 3 more B-17, and unsustainable loss rate.

The best news of the day came in China, oddly enough. First, another Imperial division crossed the river into Hengyang and shock attacked itself into submission.

Ground combat at Hengyang (80,53)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13626 troops, 205 guns, 83 vehicles, Assault Value = 488

Defending force 50448 troops, 369 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1052

Japanese adjusted assault: 59

Allied adjusted defense: 190

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
2205 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 203 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled


Allied ground losses:
605 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)


Assaulting units:
110th Division
19th Ind.Mixed Brigade
22nd/A Division
39th Division
15th/A Division
10th Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
2nd Mortar Battalion
20th Ind. Mtn Gun Battalion

Defending units:
65th Chinese Corps
14th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
16th Construction Regiment
49th Chinese Corps
63rd Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
25th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
4th Chinese/C Corps
10th Group Army
7th War Area
12th Group Army
18th Chinese Base Force
4th Chinese/B Corps

Next, the Empire's troops east of Hengyang executed DAW's orders to make a spoiling attack on the Chinese forces that will, tomorrow, cross the river into Hengyang.

Ground combat at 81,53 (near Changsha)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 20338 troops, 130 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 461

Defending force 64149 troops, 314 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1378

Japanese adjusted assault: 104

Allied adjusted defense: 338

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
4187 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 290 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 47 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 23 (2 destroyed, 21 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
804 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 101 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Assaulting units:
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
55th Infantry Brigade
53rd Infantry Brigade

Defending units:
56th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
100th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
88th Chinese Corps
5th Chinese Cavalry Corps
79th Chinese/B Corps

Perhaps we can hold the Changsha area for a while longer! Liuchow is now abandoned, and doubtless the Admiral will send representatives to city hall tonight. Our host is making for Kweilin as fast as possible and troops are now marching out of the city to avoid over crowding.

As best I can tell from encounters with submarines by the main force and naval search of Akyab, the cruiser force that bombarded Chittagong has retired out of the Bay of Bengal and a cruiser is at Akyab with escorts. It seems the shore batteries tagged her good.

Those two brigades escaped in Australia so we shall pursue them for one more hex. Katherine is shut down for offensive ops, maybe the skies will stay free enough of Imperial Nazgul for a while.

[princep01]

'Tis a long trek back, but at least in Oz, it would appear he has seen his highwater mark.
 
I just don't think he can continue to sustain the ground losses he is incurring in China for long.  Maybe you will see a breather there for a couple of weeks.  I hope so.  For sure, Changsha is worth fighting for.
 
Sadly, Burma is a lost cause and he appears to be pushing at the backdoor of China there.  By now, some of your Indian units should be well stocked and useful.
 
Is all quiet in the Pacific?  Maybe you can conduct raids there to divert attention, but it looks like he is pursing a China First strategy.

[witpqs]

It does look like China is his priority, and so it's lucky that I was suckered into sending those 2 divs plus 2 tank units to India! India is becoming more and more self-sufficient in defense every day, so I will be using the 2 Aussie divs and the diverted units for an offensive in Burma, right down the coast to Ramree Island. The ultimate aim is to push in through Prome, but that of course will take some doing at this stage. The Indian border is being fortified and built up, but if he pushed through there the offensive along the coast would be telling. I don't believe he is planning to push across the border. I think he is cleaning out upper Burma to make the defense easier. In a 2x2 where we squared off in that area, upper Burma held and a series of counter-attacks on his flank took a nasty toll while clearing out upper Burma for the Allies. Clearly he has committed heavy forces there to close off that route.

As far as the 2 USA divisions, I really want to get them upgraded to 1942 squads before they move out. That will take about a month more as the squads just began building. The additional anti-hard rating should help them greatly on offense.

Australia is tough for us both as I am now at the limit of my supply capability at and beyond Tennant Creek. To build up TC I shall have to pull back some combat forces. I've got plenty of engineers there now but nothing for them to build with. Notice on the pic above that Walter has forces leaving Katherine moving toward the battle area. Also, scouting along the Gulf of Carpentaria is weak. I know the retreating tank regiment is up there but get only intermittent contact even with a recon group. He could have other units moving down the road toward Normanton, but it's well defended anyway.

I've finally got major support elements moving forward in the Pacific. Up until now deployment has been limited, with Christmas and Palmyra Islands getting solid attention and Pago Pago getting some, along with early development of some last-ditch fallback bases in case he went wild! The Yorktown carriers will be escorting some heavy convoys through the gap between Hawaii and the mainland.

Noumea is on the early list with 3rd Marine Division prepping. Some small un & underdeveloped bases in the Gilberts will also be seized by light forces for search bases and to set off trip-wires. Both divisions in India (and maybe the USA tank unit?) were from the Pacific commands, and some Pacific commands infantry units have been posted in Australia for the time being, so that has impacted my ability to be spreading regiments around (although most have been held back on purpose favoring counter-strike over being annihilated piecemeal). For example, both USA regiments at Normanton are independent regiments from the Pacific commands. If he has really been dumping units into China as I suspect he has then this shift in resources was OK. Now, of course, I want to push in the Pacific and take advantage of wherever he has left slack. I'm sure he is counting on the USN being too weak for the task at this point.

That's causing me to look at multiple invasions in different places. I have good search coverage around Noumea, so I think I can land there without huge exposure of being surprised. If KB shows up, perhaps other forces can then jump elsewhere? Needing to get more prepping going for that, but that's the basic idea. The USN is rather weak to take on that kind of multitasking, so the early going will probably be 1 major invasion plus other small invasions. Noumea plus two or three small targets in and around the Gilberts (hit by USMC Raiders in APDs and Paratroops in SSTs), as mentioned.

[princep01]

Sounds like a plan.  Of course, as you note, detecting the KB is critical to doing things in the Pacific at this stage.  I like the idea of the hit and run raids though.  I did one against Kwajalein with good results in March 1942 when KB was bouncing around in the DEI.
 
The idea of prepping for multiple targets is good too as it not only leaves your options open but also, should he get an intel hit on one of them, it creates that "churning" stomach feeling of uncertainty in the IJ player.  Anything that diverts attention from his offensive plans is a good thing.
 
Do you ever split your CVs at this stage of the war?  I do early in the game as there is no percentage at all in going against KB with all 5 this early.  So, I split them 2/3.  I've have had some success raiding with them and once caught the little KB north of Java covering the landing force convoy.  Three CVs did a number on three of his CVL/CVE types and the Devastators actually got some telling licks in on the landing force.  The Allied CVs came up from south of Java to strike.  Also, while I have never had much luck with it, a friend did a nice job in May '42 on a reinforcement convoy carrying a Bde and BF to Wake.  He struck with just two CVs, sank 3-4 AP/AK types full of troops and ran for home.  He did it in the blind re KB.  Not a great risk as KB isn't likely in the Wake area unless there has been some prior scare.
 
Just some thoughts.  Always nice to puncture his tires on the way to the wedding:).