Hairy Asian Experiences - GreyJoy (J) vs. Q-Ball (A)

[Lcp Purcell]

While he's committing valuable assets at Ndeni, you should be hitting him somewhere that hurts. Darwin is an important stepping stone for you, but it's not the kind of place that's going to give an Allied player nightmares in March 1942. Same with Akyab. These places should be steps on the way to something that puts real pressure on Brad and makes him react or make a mistake.

I totally agree with this, heck if you are not going to go big in Australia it might be better to leave Darwin in allied hands, because he has to be supplied it from the sea, and you can sink those transports.

When the China front is secure, you will have a massive Army free, to...

A) walk in mass to India.

B) walk in mass to Russia.

C) be bought out to finish Australia.

D) be bought out for defense everywhere.

I vote for Russia task the entire china army to sweep north through Mongolia cutting the supply line to the front, Reinforce the Manchurian garrison with large parts of the southern army. And wage a massive air war. ( Russia only gets 16 MiG-3 per month that is his entire fighter resupply) he does not get real air replacements till the end of 44.

[GreyJoy]

With all due respect guys, i think you are overstimating my strenghts at the moment...Brad is kicking my butt around even in early 42 and, almost, statlemate me everywhere (except China)

Couple of bloody turns...

Mar 17,42

While we approached Darwin again, with the KB in cover, the enemy DBs showed up again, heavily escorted by Kitties and P-40s...24 zeros showed up and killed some 20 enemies, but not before he could sink 3 more transports and one DD.... However we struggled on...

At Rabaul i loaded up everything i had... 5 Naval Guard units, a Guard Regiment and a Garrison unit.... more or less 500 AVs.... but i need the KB and the combined fleet in order to approach those waters...so i wait for Darwin to be completed....

Mar 18, 42

We ordered a naval bombardment of Darwin, followed up by the amphib landing of the whole 16th Army...3 divisions, 2 Arty unit and an Eng regiment...
Several ASW TFs and DDTFs are following up...

We encountered several subs and a huge number of PTs (not less than 20!)....we tangled with 3 different subs with mixed results...a DD was hit by 2 torps and disappeared in the water, while at least 2 enemy subs are hit at different degrees....


The naval bombardment wasn't as expected.... not a single hit at the base and the AF was still operative....
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Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
302 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 19 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)


F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Fuso
Emery Point Fortress firing at BB Fuso
BB Fuso firing at Emery Point Fortress
F1M2 Pete acting as spotter for BB Nagato
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment firing at BB Nagato
BB Nagato firing at A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment


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ASW attack near Darwin at 76,124

Japanese Ships
BB Fuso
BB Nagato
DD Numakaze
DMS Tatsuko
DD Katsutade
DD Tadeshiwa
DD Tatsukaze
DD Susuki

Allied Ships
SS Porpoise, hits 7


Then started the landings...and the Aussies fired back with everything they had!!!!...man...that was worse than D-DAY!

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Pre-Invasion action off Darwin (76,124) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

289 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 2
BB Ise, Shell hits 1
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 1
xAK Amagisan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAK Arizona Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAK Awazisan Maru, Shell hits 2
E Ishigaki
DD Namikaze
xAK Yamasimo Maru, Shell hits 1
TB Kari
TB Sagi
PC Ashi
PB Yamabato Maru
PB Nichiryo Maru
PB Kenan Maru
PB Chitose Maru #2
PB Yodozo Maru
PB Nako Maru #2
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Yamahagi Maru #3
PB Shotoku Maru
PB Shoei Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
PB Choko Maru #2
SC Ch 11
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 9
SC Ch 8
SC Ch 7
SC Ch 6
SC Ch 4
AK Kinka Maru

Japanese ground losses:
53 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
686 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled

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Amphibious Assault at Darwin (76,124)

TF 243 troops unloading over beach at Darwin, 76,124

Japanese ground losses:
419 casualties reported
Squads: 33 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 4 (4 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)


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Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

120 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 3
BB Ise
DD Namikaze, Shell hits 1
xAK Awazisan Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Okikaze
PC Ashi
PB Yamabato Maru
PB Nichiryo Maru, Shell hits 1
PB Kenan Maru
PB Chitose Maru #2
PB Yodozo Maru
PB Nako Maru #2
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Yamahagi Maru #3
PB Shotoku Maru
PB Shoei Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
PB Choko Maru #2
SC Ch 11
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 9
SC Ch 8
SC Ch 7
SC Ch 6
SC Ch 4
AK Kinka Maru

Japanese ground losses:
24 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
112 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Several transports are badly hit and will sunk later in the day....losses are high especially for what concerns the 4th Division...who already lost 20% of its components during the air attacks of the previous days....



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ASW attack near Darwin at 76,124

Japanese Ships
DD Akigumo, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Kagero
DD Yukaze

Allied Ships
SS O20

DD Akigumo immediately sunk.... the 16th DD lost during this bloody war...



Then the bombardment phase... I clearly understimated his strenght....my divisions aren't in a good shape, while he has lot way more troops than expected....

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Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Allied Bombardment attack

Attacking force 5523 troops, 85 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 354

Defending force 38668 troops, 356 guns, 125 vehicles, Assault Value = 1000

Japanese ground losses:
65 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


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


Assaulting units:
19th MG Battalion
6th Aus Cav Brigade
2/10th Armoured Regiment
19th Australian Battalion
3rd Australian Brigade
Emery Point Fortress
108th Anti Tank Regiment
Northern Territory
Darwin RAAF Base Force
1st RAAF Supt Wing
11th RAAF Supt Wing
A/B Battery Heavy Coastal Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
21st Division
4th Division
33rd Division
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
18th JAAF Base Force
16th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
41st JAAF AF Bn /2



In SOPAC our subs scored a couple of good hits...

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Sub attack near Ambrym at 121,151

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
xAK Exchange, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires
xAP Merkur
xAP Rangatira
xAK Howell Lykes
DD Russell



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Submarine attack near Suva at 131,161

Japanese Ships
SS I-21

Allied Ships
AO Cuyama, Torpedo hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage




I sent a SCTF to intercept a reinforcement convoy at Cocos.... we killed the bugger but not before he unloaded all his troops...and i got 2 more DDs sunk by mines....[:@] 18 DDs is really too much!!!!!


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Cocos Islands at 33,101, Range 20,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kinu
DD Tokitsukaze
DD Fubuki
DD Usugumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Mochizuki

Allied Ships
KV Nigella, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAP Tairea, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk


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TF 209 encounters mine field at Cocos Islands (33,101)

Japanese Ships
DD Mochizuki, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Usugumo, Mine hits 1, on fire, heavy damage




At Luzon something strange happened...while we unloaded our 6th Guards Division at San fernando, our Vals attacked an enemy lonely CL...left there without air cover!!![X(]


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Morning Air attack on TF, near Manila at 79,77

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 21 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 26
Ki-27b Nate x 36



Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Dragon, Bomb hits 18, heavy fires, heavy damage


In Burma he abbandoned Shwebo....

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Ground combat at Shwebo (59,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 384 troops, 0 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 313

Defending force 0 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 61

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 61 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Shwebo !!!

Combat modifiers
Attacker:



Assaulting units:
14th Tank Regiment
4th RTA Division
RTA Cavalry Division




Mar 19, 42

On the following day the carnage at Darwin continues.... i really think this was too much to chew for my battered armies at this point of the game.... my divisions are badly out of supplies cause he sunk most of my carrying supplies transports during the previous air attacks.... but we kept on landing and another naval bombardment was ordered.... KB will provide close air support and we'll attack...with desperation and without much hope, but we'll attack,...

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Invasion Support action off Darwin (76,124)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

121 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Anyo Maru
BB Ise
E Ishigaki
xAK Amagisan Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Kunashiri
E Hachijo
xAK Yamasimo Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires
PB Yamabato Maru
PB Nichiryo Maru
PB Kenan Maru
PB Chitose Maru #2
PB Nako Maru #2
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Yamahagi Maru #3
PB Shotoku Maru
PB Shoei Maru
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
PB Choko Maru #2
SC Ch 7
SC Ch 6
xAP Huzi Maru
AK Kinka Maru
DD Okikaze, heavy damage
DD Namikaze

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


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


More ships were burning....more ships were sinking....


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Night Naval bombardment of Darwin at 76,124 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

92 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
BB Kirishima
BB Hiei
CA Kako
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kinugasa
CA Aoba
CA Kumano
CA Myoko
CA Chokai, Shell hits 2, on fire
CA Maya
CA Atago
CA Chikuma
CA Tone
DD Asashio
DD Hagikaze
DD Arashi
DD Nowaki
DD Amatsukaze
DD Oyashio


Allied ground losses:
1274 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Non Combat: 42 destroyed, 62 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 36 (12 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Resources hits 1
Airbase hits 9
Airbase supply hits 8
Runway hits 61
Port hits 16
Port fuel hits 3
Port supply hits 3


CA Chokai needs to go to a repair yard...a penetrating hit from a 9.2 battery....damn!



Mines!!!! Laid by subs during the night.... my DMSs got chewed by the CD guns....[:(]
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TF 243 encounters mine field at Darwin (76,124) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

15 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-18, Shell hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-17
DMS W-16, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DMS W-15, Shell hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Namikaze
TB Sagi
E Kunashiri
E Hachijo
PC Ashi
PB Nichiryo Maru
PB Ginyo Maru
PB Kinsyo Maru #2
PB Yamahagi Maru #3
PB Kyo Maru #10
PB Kyo Maru #8
PB Choko Maru #2
SC Ch 11
SC Ch 10
SC Ch 9
SC Ch 7
SC Ch 6
SC Ch 4
BB Hyuga, Mine hits 1



DMS W-18 firing at Emery Point Fortress
Emery Point Fortress firing at DMS W-18
Emery Point Fortress firing at DMS W-16
DMS W-16 firing at Emery Point Fortress
Emery Point Fortress firing at DMS W-15
47 mines cleared


and BB Hyuga hit a mine...27 flt damage and she'll need to go back to Japan[:o]


The KB attacked...no air opposition for the moment...


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Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 39 NM, estimated altitude 25,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 12 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
B5N2 Kate x 107
D3A1 Val x 53



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged


Allied ground losses:
206 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled



And now, with all the naval shells fired...everything was on the shoulders of my infantry....

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Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 36213 troops, 356 guns, 60 vehicles, Assault Value = 993

Defending force 12982 troops, 143 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 316

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 506

Allied adjusted defense: 183

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
782 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 73 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled


Allied ground losses:
2440 casualties reported
Squads: 86 destroyed, 100 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 11 destroyed, 11 disabled
Guns lost 69 (12 destroyed, 57 disabled)


Assaulting units:
21st Division
4th Division
33rd Division
18th JAAF Base Force
1st RF Gun Battalion
16th Army
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
41st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
3rd Australian Brigade
19th MG Battalion
6th Aus Cav Brigade
2/10th Armoured Regiment
19th Australian Battalion
11th RAAF Supt Wing
1st RAAF Supt Wing
Darwin RAAF Base Force
108th Anti Tank Regiment
Northern Territory
Emery Point Fortress



Not bad...but my strenght is fading away with my supplies...and i don't have anymore the naval bombardment option at hand....



In China we attacked the enemy army north of Sian once again....



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Ground combat at 83,40 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 43970 troops, 343 guns, 40 vehicles, Assault Value = 1201

Defending force 65116 troops, 236 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1158

Japanese adjusted assault: 735

Allied adjusted defense: 566

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
3075 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 260 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled


Allied ground losses:
3035 casualties reported
Squads: 192 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 101 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 16 (10 destroyed, 6 disabled)


Assaulting units:
37th Division
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th NCPC Infantry Brigade
1st Army
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
85th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
6th Group Army
43rd Chinese Corps
Jingcha War Area
2nd War Area
36th Group Army
22nd Group Army
14th Group Army
10th Chinese Base Force



While a detachment of the Java expeditionary Army started to reduce Sosarbaja

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Ground combat at Soerabaja (56,104)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 8976 troops, 50 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 331

Defending force 6492 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 67

Japanese adjusted assault: 107

Allied adjusted defense: 76

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
354 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
817 casualties reported
Squads: 17 destroyed, 23 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 11 (1 destroyed, 10 disabled)


Assaulting units:
113th Infantry Regiment
41st Infantry Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
6th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
3rd KNIL Landstorm Battalion
Soerabaja Defenses
Soerabaja KM Base Force
NI-MLD
Madoeng Defenses
ABDA
4th Avn Sup Groep






Darwin was a mistake. Let's admit it. CR is right...Brad is making me fight where he wants and is delaying me everywhere...bleeding my navy and my armies everyday with sneaky mines, CD guns and fierce oppositions....

Even if i conquer Darwin, i won't have then the strenght to push any forward... with Palembang not producing supplies i'm short of them in every fighting theatre (Burma, Java or Darwin)...

Now i spotted 3 BBs closing on Akyab fro Chittahong....he has more than 100 fighters there so i cannot use my betties...and my navies are out of positions...

Combined fleet broke its horns at Darwin and now it's a paper tiger...while i'd need it to go for Ndeni...

Cocos remains a nail in my flank...but i don't have anything to throw at it at the moment, having my hands already full with northern Sumatra, Burma, Darwin and SOPAC (and having yet to conquer Makassar, Balikapan and SW Borneo and Timor....

Need to switch to a defensive posture asap, before i got really caught off balance in an important place....

Not really the game i was hoping for...

[TheLoneGunman_MatrixForum]

Ok, you need to take a deep breath GJ.

He's outfighting you tactically at the moment, but that's not a huge deal if you can overcome him strategically.

You've said that Darwin is a mistake, what makes it a mistake? You were never intending to push very deep into Northern Oz. You're biggest problem now is going to be extricating those divisions once they've pushed the Allies back. Do you have anything in reserve you could send to Darwin once your 3 divisions have conquered it? If not, how many PPs do you have? You'll need to free up some forces for such an operation as soon as possible. Try to load those divisions back up before the amphib bonus wears out, or the lack of ports there will make the loading take forever.

What about Burma and India?

Given your success in China, these seems like the best bet. If you can attack India in depth, naval strength is secondary. I'd try to take Ceylon from him with the IJN and make a big push overland. You may even be able to lure his carriers out to fight if you make such a move. Keep in mind, Ceylon is not an area you should intend to hold for long, you are simply conquering it for 2 reasons:

1. Denial of its bases to the enemy. This makes your invasion of India that much easier without a large unsinkable aircraft carrier right off the coast. And it means the Allies need to retake it before they push back in India or Burma.

2. It's an island, so the Allied troops there are vulnerable to being trapped and killed if you plan properly.

I think we need some details on what you have left in the tank as far as unrestricted units you haven't dedicated to a theater yet, restricted units you can afford to buy out, and for that matter let us know how the Japanese Economy is doing.

You may find if you sit back and look around you have plenty of strength all over the place, it just needs to be concentrated in the right spots.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy


Darwin was a mistake. Let's admit it. CR is right...Brad is making me fight where he wants and is delaying me everywhere...bleeding my navy and my armies everyday with sneaky mines, CD guns and fierce oppositions....

Even if i conquer Darwin, i won't have then the strenght to push any forward... with Palembang not producing supplies i'm short of them in every fighting theatre (Burma, Java or Darwin)...

Now i spotted 3 BBs closing on Akyab fro Chittahong....he has more than 100 fighters there so i cannot use my betties...and my navies are out of positions...

Combined fleet broke its horns at Darwin and now it's a paper tiger...while i'd need it to go for Ndeni...

Need to switch to a defensive posture asap, before i got really caught off balance in an important place....

Not really the game i was hoping for...

Hi GJ! I usually don´t post in Jap AARs since I know nothing about playing the Jap side but I figured you might need some cheering up! [:)]

Why is Darwin a mistake and why shouldn´t you have strength to push forward? I´m pretty sure Q-Ball won´t have much more in Northern OZ since he would need to supply it via the sea. You have 3 divisions in place. He will have the same problems with supply as you do.

How come the Combined fleet lost its horns all of the sudden? All I could see in the report was that you lost a DD, some DMS and a BB took some FLT damage? Did you loose KB somewhere and forgot to post it? [:D]

As TheLoneGunman says you need to take a deep breath. Nothing disastrous has happened. You have Darwin which you would have to take sooner or later anyway. You will soon have conquered China. Its only March 42 for christ sake! [:)]

So what if he has Cocos? You can take that out in a year. No hurry! So what if he has 3 BBs approaching Akyab? Nothing gamechanging or disastrous will happen from that. The allies can achieve local superiority here and there where you arn´t. And you can´t be everywhere.

You can still overwhelm him anywhere you want to in march 42. Q-Ball certainly is a great player and doing a good job of slowing you down. But don´t let him stop you already. I think that would be a mistake. Remember that you are in charge and should dictate things. He can only hope to buy time. Nothing more. You shouldn´t allow yourself to start reacting to what he does!

Good luck! [:)]

[GreyJoy]

Thanks guys for your support.

However i remain sckeptical towards my chances of any further advance. I've been outplayed strategically by Q-Ball since the beginning and he made me dance at his own rythm... the dreams of India, Oz or whatever have been vanished since a long time now...

The Combined fleet isn't destroyed, obviously...but she's slowly but steadly losing the upper hand...bleeding herself in non-strategically decisive places and never obtaining an overwhelming result...
In 10 days the amphib bonus will expire and that means that no further landing operations are possible (have u seen what happened to Koniu recently!?!?)...
All my BBs are now out of ammos...same for CAs... most of them need repair yard time...and my major naval bases are far away from the front line...
Brad has drawn a line where he wanted to and he's now strong everywhere (SOPAC, INDIA and Aleutinas).

I'll have my hands full with Java, Luzon, Northern Oz and southern Borneo for the next months...enough to keep me busy and to prevent me to go any further.

Consider also that with DBB mod you are short of Aviation support, Engineers and supplies almost everywhere!...and this slows down a lot the pace of your advance.

I'll try to finish China...but gotta be very carefull with Burma...he's already very aggressive there and the lack of supplies and of a decent air force (which is needed everywhere!) prevent me from any follow up of the initial breakthrough...we're advancing towards Mitikina...but slowly and without much hope



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 20, 42

A mixed turn...a victory but also a couple of disturbing bloody noses (Burma and China).

More ships were hit by his CD guns at Darwin...lost nearly 30 transports during this operation [:-]...
Then the KB attacked again, supporting the upcoming desperate attack of my divisions...
The brave soldiers of the 16th Army managed to take the city (thank God!), while the KB is already moving towards the Solomons...

Now the 4th Div will wait a couple of days before being reimbarked for Timor, while the other two will try to follow up the advance and push southwards...
2 base forces are already in place and will provide some support for the 3 fighter groups that will be transfered here from Kendari.


At Burma he came with the whole RN and simply destroyed Akyab for good. Then he sent all his fighters on sweep missions.... i had my zeros on LRCAP from Mandalay and we suffered a terrible defeat, with nearly 30 zeros shot down for only 12 enemies.... then the bombers arrived and finished the job begun by the RN....

The 21st Division moved away from Akyab and crossed the river east... only to be severly punished by 4 enemy Bdes retiring from Burma... the destruption suffered the night before was clearly decisive....

Really bad news from Burma so... i'm already defending against superior forces (both air, naval and land)[:o]

In China we made another shock attack, crossing the river north of Sian and the result was horrible....



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Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire
CA Houston
CL Marblehead
CL Glasgow
CL Emerald

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


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Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45

Allied Ships
BB Resolution
BB Ramillies
BB Royal Sovereign
BB Revenge

Japanese ground losses:
309 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 18 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (1 destroyed, 2 disabled)



Manpower hits 1
Fires 122
Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 11
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 2



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 36



Allied aircraft
F4F-3A Wildcat x 17


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F4F-3A Wildcat: 2 destroyed




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Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 32 NM, estimated altitude 22,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIa Trop x 16


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 9 destroyed[X(]

Allied aircraft losses
Hurricane IIa Trop: 2 destroyed


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Morning Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 40 NM, estimated altitude 23,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 41
B5N2 Kate x 108
D3A1 Val x 52



Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 7 damaged


Allied ground losses:
270 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 7 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12



Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
B-26 Marauder x 31


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 5 damaged



Airbase hits 6
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 26

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11



Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 18


No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 5
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 13

Obuchi E. in a A6M2 Zero makes head on attack ... forces B-17E Fortress out of formation
[X(][X(][X(][X(][X(]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 38 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 11 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7



Allied aircraft
P-39D Airacobra x 22


Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed[X(]

No Allied losses


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

Ground combat at 87,41 (near Tsiaotso) *the last pocketed chinese army in the north*

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 22032 troops, 143 guns, 353 vehicles, Assault Value = 814

Defending force 8246 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 199

Japanese adjusted assault: 478

Allied adjusted defense: 61

Japanese assault odds: 7 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
215 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
1898 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 135 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 18 (1 destroyed, 17 disabled)


Assaulting units:
59th Infantry Brigade
26th Recon Regiment
5th Armored Car Co
12th Tank Regiment
1st Recon Regiment
12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
11th Tank Regiment
10th Tank Regiment
1st NCPC Infantry Brigade
5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
98th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
24th Group Army


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

Ground combat at 83,40 (near Sian)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 12952 troops, 177 guns, 48 vehicles, Assault Value = 2442

Defending force 63195 troops, 226 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1117

Japanese adjusted assault: 112 [X(]

Allied adjusted defense: 549

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 4

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
1743 casualties reported
Squads: 8 destroyed, 162 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 18 (3 destroyed, 15 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
901 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 62 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled


Assaulting units:
37th Division
53rd Infantry Brigade
61st Infantry Brigade
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
35th Division
13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
41st Division
32nd Division
4th NCPC Infantry Brigade
1st Army
North China Area Army
RGC Army
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
Mongol Garrison Army
Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
80th Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
36th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
36th Group Army
43rd Chinese Corps
2nd War Area
22nd Group Army
6th Group Army
14th Group Army
Jingcha War Area
10th Chinese Base Force


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

Ground combat at Darwin (76,124)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 32036 troops, 332 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 942

Defending force 11015 troops, 132 guns, 212 vehicles, Assault Value = 176

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 750

Allied adjusted defense: 71

Japanese assault odds: 10 to 1 (fort level 1) [:D]

Japanese forces CAPTURE Darwin !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
361 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
4396 casualties reported
Squads: 189 destroyed, 34 disabled
Non Combat: 292 destroyed, 24 disabled
Engineers: 22 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 97 (84 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 142 (137 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 10
Units destroyed 1


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
21st Division
4th Division
33rd Division
16th Army
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
18th JAAF Base Force
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
41st JAAF AF Bn

Defending units:
6th Aus Cav Brigade
2/10th Armoured Regiment
19th Australian Battalion
11th RAAF Supt Wing
Northern Territory
3rd Australian Brigade
19th MG Battalion
Darwin RAAF Base Force
1st RAAF Supt Wing
108th Anti Tank Regiment
Emery Point Fortress


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

Ground combat at Pakhoi (72,58) *the south is finally liberated*

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4211 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 119

Defending force 3360 troops, 18 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 58

Japanese adjusted assault: 105

Allied adjusted defense: 6

Japanese assault odds: 17 to 1 (fort level 1)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Pakhoi !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
920 casualties reported
Squads: 40 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 9 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (4 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 4


Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment

Defending units:
64th Chinese/A Corps
9th Chinese Base Force
35th Group Army
64th Chinese/C Corps


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

Ground combat at 55,45 (near Akyab)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 13848 troops, 123 guns, 39 vehicles, Assault Value = 436

Defending force 6729 troops, 45 guns, 18 vehicles, Assault Value = 246

Japanese adjusted assault: 99

Allied adjusted defense: 225

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), op mode(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+), disruption(-), fatigue(-)

Japanese ground losses:
457 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 46 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled


Allied ground losses:
463 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled


Assaulting units:
18th Division

Defending units:
16th Indian Brigade
46th Indian Brigade
Railway BAF Battalion
48th Gurkha Brigade

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

Ok, you need to take a deep breath GJ.

He's outfighting you tactically at the moment, but that's not a huge deal if you can overcome him strategically.

You've said that Darwin is a mistake, what makes it a mistake? You were never intending to push very deep into Northern Oz. You're biggest problem now is going to be extricating those divisions once they've pushed the Allies back. Do you have anything in reserve you could send to Darwin once your 3 divisions have conquered it? If not, how many PPs do you have? You'll need to free up some forces for such an operation as soon as possible. Try to load those divisions back up before the amphib bonus wears out, or the lack of ports there will make the loading take forever.

What about Burma and India?

Given your success in China, these seems like the best bet. If you can attack India in depth, naval strength is secondary. I'd try to take Ceylon from him with the IJN and make a big push overland. You may even be able to lure his carriers out to fight if you make such a move. Keep in mind, Ceylon is not an area you should intend to hold for long, you are simply conquering it for 2 reasons:

1. Denial of its bases to the enemy. This makes your invasion of India that much easier without a large unsinkable aircraft carrier right off the coast. And it means the Allies need to retake it before they push back in India or Burma.

2. It's an island, so the Allied troops there are vulnerable to being trapped and killed if you plan properly.

I think we need some details on what you have left in the tank as far as unrestricted units you haven't dedicated to a theater yet, restricted units you can afford to buy out, and for that matter let us know how the Japanese Economy is doing.

You may find if you sit back and look around you have plenty of strength all over the place, it just needs to be concentrated in the right spots.

Cylon?? But with what mate? I have the 15th and the 25th Armies in Burma (for a total of 4 divisions)...and they are needed there...he's already too strong in Assam not to leave my divisions on a defensive posture...Akyab is already in danger!

The 16th Army (3 divisions) is at Darwin.

The rest of my unrestricted units are trying to liberate Java (Batavia is heavily garrisoned, with more than 40.000 men and i'll need quite a strong force to liberate it) and at Luzon

The 38th Division, along with some regiments of the 16th, is still fighting in southern China (Tsuyun)...

As you can see all my major units are busy (the Imperial Guard Div is clearling up northern Sumatra (this div has only 190 AVs cause it was badly trashed during the Singapore assault) and is already prepping for Cocos Is...

I'm so weak everywhere that i'll have to counterinvade Ndeni using only second quality troops...


Now that i see what Japan really is, my respect for the "real" japanese players has grown even stronger than before... Rader did kick my butt for more than 3 years with these forces!??! How could he?? Hat's off...really

[TheLoneGunman_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

Ok, you need to take a deep breath GJ.

He's outfighting you tactically at the moment, but that's not a huge deal if you can overcome him strategically.

You've said that Darwin is a mistake, what makes it a mistake? You were never intending to push very deep into Northern Oz. You're biggest problem now is going to be extricating those divisions once they've pushed the Allies back. Do you have anything in reserve you could send to Darwin once your 3 divisions have conquered it? If not, how many PPs do you have? You'll need to free up some forces for such an operation as soon as possible. Try to load those divisions back up before the amphib bonus wears out, or the lack of ports there will make the loading take forever.

What about Burma and India?

Given your success in China, these seems like the best bet. If you can attack India in depth, naval strength is secondary. I'd try to take Ceylon from him with the IJN and make a big push overland. You may even be able to lure his carriers out to fight if you make such a move. Keep in mind, Ceylon is not an area you should intend to hold for long, you are simply conquering it for 2 reasons:

1. Denial of its bases to the enemy. This makes your invasion of India that much easier without a large unsinkable aircraft carrier right off the coast. And it means the Allies need to retake it before they push back in India or Burma.

2. It's an island, so the Allied troops there are vulnerable to being trapped and killed if you plan properly.

I think we need some details on what you have left in the tank as far as unrestricted units you haven't dedicated to a theater yet, restricted units you can afford to buy out, and for that matter let us know how the Japanese Economy is doing.

You may find if you sit back and look around you have plenty of strength all over the place, it just needs to be concentrated in the right spots.

Cylon?? But with what mate? I have the 15th and the 25th Armies in Burma (for a total of 4 divisions)...and they are needed there...he's already too strong in Assam not to leave my divisions on a defensive posture...Akyab is already in danger!

The 16th Army (3 divisions) is at Darwin.

The rest of my unrestricted units are trying to liberate Java (Batavia is heavily garrisoned, with more than 40.000 men and i'll need quite a strong force to liberate it) and at Luzon

The 38th Division, along with some regiments of the 16th, is still fighting in southern China (Tsuyun)...

As you can see all my major units are busy (the Imperial Guard Div is clearling up northern Sumatra (this div has only 190 AVs cause it was badly trashed during the Singapore assault) and is already prepping for Cocos Is...

I'm so weak everywhere that i'll have to counterinvade Ndeni using only second quality troops...


Now that i see what Japan really is, my respect for the "real" japanese players has grown even stronger than before... Rader did kick my butt for more than 3 years with these forces!??! How could he?? Hat's off...really

Start prepping your clean-up units for new operations. Set them up now so that when you are ready to invade, they're at a decent amount of prep since the amphib bonus is ending.

Are you going to pull the 16th Army out of Darwin? If you aren't careful they can get trapped at a later date when Q-Ball decides to finally push through.

You've already conquered most of the perimeter that you wanted initially, so I still can't see why you are so upset. Your battered divisions need a month off to rebuild and gain preparation for the next operation. If you can use recon to find weak spots in Q-Ball's armor, you may be able to make an effective landing somewhere still.

You need to try to find out where he is weakest.

How does NE Oz look? If he's been stripping units from there to send to Darwin or India, then perhaps you could throw him for a loop there. You've got a bunch of possibilities right now, especially with China almost conquered. A big push in that region will free up a bunch of unrestricted units that can now march straight to India if they so desire and there's no need to worry about naval landings at all.

How's your R&D doing by the way?

[ny59giants]

Nic, I sent your an email about your economy. Did you get it??

Darwin - Did you recon the base to see how many troops he had there?? If I saw the above average numbers, I would have landed at Wyndham and drove overland to take Darwin from the south. If he stayed there, then he would risk losing them all. You have done well in winning the war in China by out maneuvering Brad. Why did you decide to try the brute force approach here?? Having three to four tank regiments would have helped here.

Hurricanes - the IIb model comes with 12x Browning MGs with a Gun Value of 24. [X(] If Brad masses them and get equal or above 1:1 odds in an A2A battle, you will be in trouble. [:-] You may try to stack your sweeps with Oscars coming in lower than your Zeros so you can bounce on his fighters if they go after the Oscars first. Been on enough of these battles on both sides to say you will have days like this. More than you want.

[obvert]

Greyjoy

Now that i see what Japan really is, my respect for the "real" japanese players has grown even stronger than before... Rader did kick my butt for more than 3 years with these forces!??! How could he?? Hat's off...really

My hat's off too. I'm on my 3rd try and just starting to figure out how these guys control things so well and dictate the pace for the first 1-2 years, but I'm still not close to having that kind of control myself.

Playing the IJ side certainly gets the blood flowing though, and every step is high risk balancing act. It's a great challenge and I bet you'll catch your stride once the SRA is completely secured. At that point you'll still have some time to make him pay for any early advances.

[Lcp Purcell]

The biggest problem you identified is supply, and with refineries not making the stuff that reduces you by around 3000 a day. (once you take all the refineries in DEI) I don't suppose there was anything built into the Mod, to counter that. (extra light industry or HI making more per turn)

You simply can't afford to advance into the two major theaters (Australia, and India) through the two paths you have taken Darwin and Akyab the supply lines just stink. And as you push deeper into China and the supply lines get longer that theater will need more. I still don't like the Push in china over the mountain, through the woods to grandma's Pucheng house, those unites are eating three times the supply.

The biggest saving grace you have is his supply problems in China are worse than yours, those units in the south of China really should not be destroyed but just pushed off the road, Chunking is probably still sending them supplies but only 5% or so make it to them. I sure hope you are keeping Chunking's airstrip damaged, costing him supply and preventing him from building fortifications. (by the way what is the stacking limit in Chunking)

And finally if you archive Japan's historic expansion and conquer all of China, well that is darn good. There should be all kinds of beat up divisions you can buy out of China on the cheap.

[GreyJoy]

The way i read our HRs, i won't be able to invade India with restricted units. So to say, divisions attached to the Chinese Army Exp HQ will be able to be moved to Burma for a defensive pourpose, but won't be able to cross the borders of India or Russia (for what it matters).

Guys, i know my limits. This is the first attempt as Japan and now i see how things are difficult on this side of the hill.
Think i'll start prepping my defences ASAP and i'll use my unrestricted divisions as a strong mobile defensive force. Fireworkers so to say...


Micheal...no, i confess i went blind on Darwin... probably the cause was the failed attempt to conquer Koepang, that frustrated my plans of having a strong air force in southern DEI ...then the lack of base forces and AV support....i have an air HQ at Kendari, along with 2 base forces (consider that each BF in this mod has max 24 AV points!)... and that was all for the whole southern DEI area! Poor initial planning (i know), united with the fact that i had to give some priorities for the base forces allocations... Burma and Solomons first... SRA-DEI had to wait...

In my idea, the conquest of Darwin must be used in order to gain time (hopefully one year at least) to build up my defensive perimeter in southern DEI (from Ambon to Koepang)...

Now the 4th Div is loading up again, while the other 2 units are chasing the fleeing enemy. 60 IJAAF bombers, along with 70 fighters are almost ready to be transfered at Darwin... they'll support the march towards Kathrine.


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 21, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Isle of Pines  at 116,161

Japanese Ships
     SS I-19, hits 1

Allied Ships
     xAP Murada, Torpedo hits 1,  on fire,  heavy damage
     xAP Zvir
     DD Vendetta


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

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Suva  at 131,161 *hit, no explosion[:@]*

Japanese Ships
     SS I-21

Allied Ships
     CA Pensacola
     CA Chester
     CA Northampton
     DD Benham
     DD Stuart
     DD Balch



SS I-21 launches 6 torpedoes at CA Pensacola
DD Stuart fails to find sub and abandons search
DD Balch attacking submerged sub ....
DD Balch cannot reach attack position over SS I-21
SS I-21 eludes DD Balch by diving deep
DD Balch fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Balch fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Balch fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Balch fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near Isle of Pines  at 116,161

Japanese Ships
     SS I-1

Allied Ships
     xAP Murada, Torpedo hits 1,  heavy damage


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

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

Ground combat at 87,41 (near Tsiaotso) *this pocket is almost done*

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 21753 troops, 143 guns, 353 vehicles, Assault Value = 786

Defending force 6716 troops, 42 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 66

Japanese adjusted assault: 543

Allied adjusted defense: 16

Japanese assault odds: 33 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
     94 casualties reported
        Squads: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
        Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled


Allied ground losses:
     1934 casualties reported
        Squads: 68 destroyed, 47 disabled
        Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 21 disabled
        Engineers: 3 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
   12th Indpt Infantry Regiment
   11th Tank Regiment
   8th Ind.Mixed Brigade
   59th Infantry Brigade
   26th Recon Regiment
   10th Tank Regiment
   5th Armored Car Co
   12th Tank Regiment
   1st Recon Regiment
   1st NCPC Infantry Brigade
   5th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
   98th Chinese Corps
   5th New Chinese Corps
   24th Group Army



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

Ground combat at 83,40 (near Sian)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 80175 troops, 636 guns, 120 vehicles, Assault Value = 2329

Defending force 62678 troops, 226 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1080

Japanese adjusted assault: 1177

Allied adjusted defense: 448

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
     2760 casualties reported
        Squads: 7 destroyed, 381 disabled
        Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 24 disabled
        Engineers: 1 destroyed, 19 disabled
     Guns lost 12 (4 destroyed, 8 disabled)


Allied ground losses:
     17695 casualties reported
        Squads: 651 destroyed, 98 disabled
        Non Combat: 753 destroyed, 28 disabled
        Engineers: 16 destroyed, 25 disabled
     Guns lost 26 (17 destroyed, 9 disabled)
     Units retreated 14
 [X(]

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
   41st Division
   32nd Division
   15th Ind.Mixed Brigade
   9th Ind.Mixed Brigade
   37th Division
   61st Infantry Brigade
   53rd Infantry Brigade
   35th Division
   7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
   3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade
   4th Ind.Mixed Brigade
   13th Ind.Mixed Brigade
   4th NCPC Infantry Brigade
   Botanko Hvy Gun Regiment
   6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
   RGC Army
   1st Army
   North China Area Army
   Mongol Garrison Army
   11th Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
   36th Chinese Corps
   80th Chinese Corps
   85th Chinese Corps
   76th Chinese Corps
   57th Chinese Corps
   92nd Chinese Corps
   22nd Group Army
   6th Group Army
   Jingcha War Area
   2nd War Area
   36th Group Army
   43rd Chinese Corps
   14th Group Army
   10th Chinese Base Force

Great result indeed...the northern chinese army must be in a bad shape now....

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Lcp Purcell

The biggest problem you identified is supply, and with refineries not making the stuff that reduces you by around 3000 a day. (once you take all the refineries in DEI) I don't suppose there was anything built into the Mod, to counter that. (extra light industry or HI making more per turn)

You simply can't afford to advance into the two major theaters (Australia, and India) through the two paths you have taken Darwin and Akyab the supply lines just stink. And as you push deeper into China and the supply lines get longer that theater will need more. I still don't like the Push in china over the mountain, through the woods to grandma's Pucheng house, those unites are eating three times the supply.

The biggest saving grace you have is his supply problems in China are worse than yours, those units in the south of China really should not be destroyed but just pushed off the road, Chunking is probably still sending them supplies but only 5% or so make it to them. I sure hope you are keeping Chunking's airstrip damaged, costing him supply and preventing him from building fortifications. (by the way what is the stacking limit in Chunking)

And finally if you archive Japan's historic expansion and conquer all of China, well that is darn good. There should be all kinds of beat up divisions you can buy out of China on the cheap.

I see your point about the chosen vectors in China. However those operations were needed to put him off balance. My main armies will keep on pushing on normal roads even if smaller ones will attempt flanking operations on the mountains.... he constantly overcommits. Almost every hex defended by the chinese is overstacked...don't understand it but won't complain about it ...he must be really having serious problems with supplies by now, while my situation isn't that bad after all. I've shipped enough supplies to this theatre to last quite for long.
To damage Chunking i'll need some major efforts...and so i'll need the Tojos... he has 100 fighters there protecting his major base and i am no ager to send my precious pilots to a certain death...

However even destroyed units will eat supplies...they are rebuilt in 30 days and will start eating rice balls again... but my flanks will be clear and my comm lines too!

[ny59giants]

If you have a division in China that has suffered high casualties and/or disruption, you might consider using PP to buy it cheaply and then send it some where to re-build and be used in that area.

OT - as I mentioned in another thread that you may not read, where is the 5th Fleet HQ?? I ask as it is one of two unrestricted Command HQs that you could use to prep for a future base you wish to conquer.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

If you have a division in China that has suffered high casualties and/or disruption, you might consider using PP to buy it cheaply and then send it some where to re-build and be used in that area.

OT - as I mentioned in another thread that you may not read, where is the 5th Fleet HQ?? I ask as it is one of two unrestricted Command HQs that you could use to prep for a future base you wish to conquer.

mmm....is it a land HQ? Like southern Army area HQ? Think it's unloading at Rabaul right now.... should i start it prepping for Manila?...that would be a good idea indeed....

[ny59giants]

mmm....is it a land HQ? Like southern Army area HQ? Think it's unloading at Rabaul right now.... should i start it prepping for Manila?...that would be a good idea indeed....

5th Fleet HQ happens to be a Command HQ. It acts the same way as Southern Army HQ does. It can add an additional 90% Assault Value "if' an Army/Corp HQ passes the die role first. See manual page 178 on 'Headquarters' for details.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: TheLoneGunman

How's your R&D doing by the way?

Think i'm doing fine (hopefully).

I'm stockpiling the Nakashima Ha-34 engines. In 45 days i should hit the magical number of 500 in the pool, which should boost the research of the whole Tojo line. For this pourpose the Helens Ia production will be delayed for one more month (so will start arriving in May instead of April).
Heavily researching Tojo IIa, George and Frank. Concentrating a lot on the Nakashima Ha-45 engine.

For what concerns bombers, i'm heavily researching the Jill and the Grace

Will post a screenshot of my R&D tonight...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

mmm....is it a land HQ? Like southern Army area HQ? Think it's unloading at Rabaul right now.... should i start it prepping for Manila?...that would be a good idea indeed....

5th Fleet HQ happens to be a Command HQ. It acts the same way as Southern Army HQ does. It can add an additional 90% Assault Value "if' an Army/Corp HQ passes the die role first. See manual page 178 on 'Headquarters' for details.

Damn...i never noticed it was a command HQ! I thought was a naval one...[X(] Will start prepping for Manila ASAP so....

[Lcp Purcell]

he has 100 fighters there protecting his major base

ooooh this is really exciting, that is about all his fighters, and probably the flying tigers as well, China does not produce a replacement fighter till 42-04 when they get 12 P-43A Lancers a month. ( I wonder how much supply it takes to repair a damaged aircraft but I know it's a goodly amount)

How about targeting a ground unit next to Chungking with sweeps to bleed off some leaky CAP. If the flying tigers are not there piloets fresh out of flight school in Oscars, should be able to best them, or maybe nighttime raids on his airfield. Shooting down Chines is some of the best training piloets can get.

heck he might have half his fighters on training missions and that's no good.

You should be close to getting the Tojo but I would think you need those in Burma and the Solomon Sea area first. but once that happens you will have more Oscars than you can shake a stick at.

[GreyJoy]

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Mar 22, 42

While the KB slides towards PM and while the Ndeni invasion force is assembling near Shortland, the RN pays another visit to akyab, followed up by the Indian air force... the base is currently non-operative, obviously... taking care of it right now.... the Kaga's group in 2 days will be ready to sail from Singapore, along with 2 BBs, 2 CAs and 10 CLs, while i'm gathering all the air force i can master at Rangoon...

The news of the day is the possible sinking of another american BB.... West Virginia has been hit by 4 sub torpedoes while moving to WC from PH....and she's probably sinking right now....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Akyab at 54,45 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Allied Ships
CA Dorsetshire
CL Marblehead
CL Glasgow
CL Emerald

Japanese ground losses:
32 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled



Runway hits 1
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1

CA Dorsetshire firing at Akyab
CL Marblehead firing at 18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
CL Glasgow firing at 11th JAAF Base Force
11th JAAF Base Force firing at CL Glasgow
CL Emerald firing at Akyab


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub attack near San Francisco at 209,88

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
DD Selfridge
DD Mahan
DD Allen
DD Phelps


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes


Allied aircraft
Hurricane IIb Trop x 8
B-26 Marauder x 31


Allied aircraft losses
B-26 Marauder: 2 damaged



Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on Akyab , at 54,45

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes


Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 21


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 damaged



Airbase hits 3
Runway hits 7




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Sub attack near San Francisco at 209,88

Japanese Ships
SS I-5

Allied Ships
BB West Virginia, Torpedo hits 3, heavy damage[8D]
DD Allen


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Ground combat at 79,50 (near Chihkiang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 38470 troops, 324 guns, 64 vehicles, Assault Value = 1184

Defending force 17464 troops, 81 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 441

Japanese adjusted assault: 1014

Allied adjusted defense: 895

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
667 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled


Allied ground losses:
1114 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 113 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled


Assaulting units:
116th Division
34th Division
6th Division
8th Armored Car Co
13th Army
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
10th Chinese Corps
44th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
9th War Area
23rd Group Army


mmm.....not the result i had hoped for....

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Lcp Purcell

he has 100 fighters there protecting his major base

ooooh this is really exciting, that is about all his fighters, and probably the flying tigers as well, China does not produce a replacement fighter till 42-04 when they get 12 P-43A Lancers a month. ( I wonder how much supply it takes to repair a damaged aircraft but I know it's a goodly amount)

How about targeting a ground unit next to Chungking with sweeps to bleed off some leaky CAP. If the flying tigers are not there piloets fresh out of flight school in Oscars, should be able to best them, or maybe nighttime raids on his airfield. Shooting down Chines is some of the best training piloets can get.

heck he might have half his fighters on training missions and that's no good.

You should be close to getting the Tojo but I would think you need those in Burma and the Solomon Sea area first. but once that happens you will have more Oscars than you can shake a stick at.

Don't have the strenght to risk my oscars (and my pilots!) against P-40s right now... i prefer to hold my arm and wait for the Tojos before committing against Chungking...
However, when the Tojos will arrive, i'll be able to use zeros in China, while moving Tojos to Burma. The Oscars will be usefull for escort duties in the SOPAC....