A Lemon rises in the East: SqzMyLemon (J) vs. JocMeister (A)

[SqzMyLemon]

We've reached the Dec. 24th turn, but I'll have to try and finish catching up tomorrow.

[SqzMyLemon]

122041 Update:

Sub Ops:

Japan

SS I-175 misses DD Ralph Talbot near Manihiki. No damage from ASW attack.

Allied

Nothing to report.


Borneo:

DMS's clearing mines at Singkawang.

Brunei is captured.

Kuching is captured.


China:

A deliberate attack fails to dislodge the defenders at Hong Kong. AAR follows:

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19616 troops, 279 guns, 210 vehicles, Assault Value = 485

Defending force 5851 troops, 121 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 117

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 0

Japanese adjusted assault: 160

Allied adjusted defense: 213

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2 (fort level 0)

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

Japanese ground losses:
408 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled

Allied ground losses:
339 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 10 (5 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Vehicles lost 9 (1 destroyed, 8 disabled)

The Japanese 115th Inf. Rgt. captures Pucheng and routes the Chinese 16th Construction Rgt. Chinese losses are 12(0) non-combat and 22(1) engineer squads totalling 251 casualties.

The 10th and 15th Tank Rgt.'s attack the Chinese 85th Corps near Nanyang in clear terrain. Chinese forces suffer 4(13) infantry and 0(3) engineer squads lost totalling 228 casualties.

Chinese forces attack near Chuhsien. AAR follows:

Ground combat at 87,55 (near Chuhsien)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 24982 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 806

Defending force 7763 troops, 74 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 268

Allied adjusted assault: 339

Japanese adjusted defense: 457

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
900 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 50 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Vehicles lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
70th Chinese Corps
28th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
32nd Group Army

Defending units:
22nd/A Division
22nd/B Division

Bombing in China has been sporadic at best due to weather. I was relying on causing heavy disruption to Chinese forces launching attacks against my forces, but it just isn't happening and my ground troops are vulnerable to these larger Chinese units.

Ambon:

Invasion TF's begin unloading assault forces. Allied CD guns hit the following ships:

xAK Igasa Maru, Shell hits 1
BB Ise, Shell hits 2
DD Kuretake, Shell hits 1, on fire
CL Kiso, Shell hits 1
DD Shiokaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Chosen Maru, Shell hits 1, on fire
xAKL Jokuja Maru, Shell hits 1


Malaya:

Singapore bombed for 1 AB, 6 Runway, 1 Port and 1 Repair Shipyard hits.


The Phillipines:

Amphibious landing at Puerto Princesa.


Miscellaneous:

Jehol expands airfield to size 6

AMC Kiyosumi Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto
xAK Rozan Maru arrives at Yokohama/Yokosuka

18th I F Chutai Det converting to Ki-46-II Dinah


122141 Update:

Sub Ops:

Japan

SS I-18 sinks xAK Ludington near Pukapuka.

Allied

Nothing to report.

The Philippines:

Amphibious landing at Jolo.

Bayombong, Legaspi and Vigan are captured.


Malaya:

Bombing at Singapore causes 1 AB and 1 Port Fuel hits.

Japanese deliberate attack near Temuloh forces Allied units to retreat. Allied losses are 19(0) infantry, 28(0) non-combat and 1(0) engineer squads and 1(2) guns. Japanese troops suffer 3 disabled squads.


Borneo:

B-17's (19) target Miri's oil facilities and cause 2 Oil hits.


China:

Japenese forces launch a deliberate attack against Paotow. Chinese forces suffer 68(19) infantry, 54(0) non-combat and 2(2) engineer squads lost and 4(2) guns totalling 1867 casualties. Japanese losses are 1(35) infantry and 0(3) non-combat squads lost totalling 262 casualties.

Artillery bombardment at Hong Kong destoys 1 non-combat and 2 engineer squads along with 1 gun.

Chinese attack at Tsiaotso. AAR follows:

Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 35537 troops, 200 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1023

Defending force 5343 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 158

Allied adjusted assault: 1179

Japanese adjusted defense: 208

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 0)

Allied forces CAPTURE Tsiaotso !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
2078 casualties reported
Squads: 57 destroyed, 49 disabled
Non Combat: 61 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 15 (11 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
1586 casualties reported
Squads: 16 destroyed, 69 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
27th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
40th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
14th Group Army
15th Group Army

Defending units:
16th Ind.Mixed Brigade
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chinese forces attack near Chuhsien. AAR follows:

Ground combat at 87,55 (near Chuhsien)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 24606 troops, 114 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 756

Defending force 7100 troops, 74 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 194

Allied adjusted assault: 441

Japanese adjusted defense: 173

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2318 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 82 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 18 (12 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Vehicles lost 5 (3 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
1407 casualties reported
Squads: 12 destroyed, 85 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
28th Chinese Corps
70th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
32nd Group Army

Defending units:
22nd/A Division
22nd/B Division


Ambon:

AAR follows:

Ground combat at Ambon (76,109)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16660 troops, 133 guns, 42 vehicles, Assault Value = 475

Defending force 3761 troops, 44 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 106

Japanese adjusted assault: 182

Allied adjusted defense: 64

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
149 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 25 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Allied ground losses:
670 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 65 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
56th Engineer Regiment
56th Recon Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
113th Infantry Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
15th Base Force

Defending units:
Molukken Garrison Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Gull Battalion
Ambon Base Force


Miscellaneous:

Fusan expands port to size 5
Lao Cai expands airfield to size 1
Singkawang expands fortifications to size 1

xAKL Amoy Maru arrives at Amoy
xAK Yulin Maru arrives at Bangkok


Thoughts:

A rough day in China. Jocke's doing well here, but I'm relying on air power too much and it's letting me down. Once I consolidate a few areas and get consistent air support, we'll see what happens. I'm not reconning enough. Bombing raids are not recording the movement of Chinese forces and I'm getting caught out of position to counter.

[SqzMyLemon]

122241 Update:

Sub Ops:

Japan

Nothing to report.

Allied

SS Seadragon duds on xAK Kuraido Maru near Boela.

South Pacific:

AMC Hokoku Maru sinks the AE Mauna Loa near Caroline Island. The AMC then runs across a larger Allied TF and engages it briefly before retiring. AAR follows:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Caroline Island at 178,164, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru

Allied Ships
AD Rigel
AE Pyro
AG Vega
AG Arctic
PC Reliance
PC Tiger, Shell hits 1, heavy fires

KB is one day away to the N.E. and I've ordered an intercept at mission speed. I've set all Kate torpedo planes to use bombs to conserve their use against non-SCTF's. I was not impressed with KB wasting 50 torpedoes against DD's earlier, so I'll save them for more important targets or an enemy CV force.


New Guinea:

A small two ship SCTF was picked up by air search off the coast of New Guinea near Sarmi on the 21st. Luckily I had CA Maya and DD's Amatsukaze and Oboro heading to Truk, so I ordered an intercept. A number of sharp naval actions occurred. AAR follows:

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 92,111, Range 9,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 2
DD Amatsukaze
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Sarmi at 93,111, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 1
DD Amatsukaze
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Shell hits 1, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 94,112, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya
DD Amatsukaze
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Shell hits 2, on fire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Hollandia at 95,112, Range 14,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Maya, Shell hits 2
DD Amatsukaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
DD Oboro

Allied Ships
CL Achilles, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage

CA Maya is in rough shape. System and Float damage are in the 40's. The DD's were the heroes of these running battles and CA Maya was lucky to not have been sunk, CL Adelaide hit her with a dud torpedo.


Borneo:

B-17D's (15) again target Miri and cause 7 Oil hits. One bomber is shot down by Zero's on CAP. This is why there is no hurry for me to grab fuel or oil facilities still within range of 4E's.


Malaya:

Bombing of Singapore inflicts 3 AB, 2 ABS, 11 Runway, 3 Port and 1 Port Fuel hits. SS KXVII, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage.


China:

Artillery bombardment of Hong Kong destroys one 1(1) infantry and 1(2) non-combat squads.


Ambon:

The second deliberate attack succeeds and the base is captured. Allied units destroyed:

Molukken Garrison Battalion
Gull Battalion
4th Coastal Gun Battalion
Ambon Base Force


Central Pacific:

Tarawa is captured by the 52nd Naval Guard unit.



The Philippines:

Puerto Princesa is captured. The 2nd PI Base Force retreats into the jungle.

Jolo is captured by the 15th Naval Guard unit.


Borneo:

Sandakan is captured by the 2nd Saebo SNLF Coy.


Miscellaneous:

Nothing to report.


Thoughts:

Hopefully, KB finds and sinks the TF located by my AMC. Sinking an Australian CL and heavily damaging a second was good, but the CA Maya will out of commission for repairs, providing she avoids enemy submarines and makes it home.


122341 Update:

Central Pacific:

Amphibious landing at Nauru Island. Nauru Island is captured by the 66th Naval Guard unit, and the Australian Wren Det. is destoyed.

Amphibious landing at Guam.

Amphibious landing at Taytay.


Southern Pacific:

AMC Hokoku finds the AG Argonne near Mataiva and both ships engage. AAR's follow:

Day Time Surface Combat, near Mataiva at 176,173, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AG Argonne, Shell hits 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day Time Surface Combat, near Mataiva at 176,173, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
AMC Hokoku Maru, Shell hits 1

Allied Ships
AG Argonne, Shell hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KB finds and attacks multiple enemy TF's near Mataiva. AAR's follow:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Mataiva at 176,173

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 39
D3A1 Val x 36

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
AE Pyro
AG Vega, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
AD Rigel, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
PC Reliance
AG Arctic, Bomb hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Air attack on TF, near Rangiroa at 178,173

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid spotted at 14 NM, estimated altitude 7,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 12

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
CL Trenton, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Mataiva at 177,172

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 15

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AG Argonne, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Rangiroa at 178,173

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 29

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Trenton, Bomb hits 7, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Mataiva at 176,173

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 39

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
PC Reliance, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AE Pyro, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
AD Rigel, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Manihi at 180,174

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 9 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 3 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 16

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
AVD Hulbert, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Flint Island at 174,170

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 25

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Minneapolis, Bomb hits 4, on fire
CL Honolulu
CA New Orleans

I made the decision to use bombs, and in this case it's unfortunate that I didn't have torpedo equipped Kate's available against these cruisers. However, it's likely they'd have used them up in the morning attacks. 50 Kate's aborted because of weather, but weren't targeting these cruisers. I'm lucky to have gotten at least one strike against this TF.


China:

Another attack fails at Hong Kong. AAR follows:

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 19577 troops, 279 guns, 208 vehicles, Assault Value = 923

Defending force 5586 troops, 115 guns, 70 vehicles, Assault Value = 97

Japanese adjusted assault: 370

Allied adjusted defense: 261

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
564 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 59 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 7 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled

Allied ground losses:
244 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 10 destroyed, 23 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 7 (3 destroyed, 4 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (12 destroyed, 2 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

The 104th Division arrived today, Hong Kong's resistance will finally end tomorrow. DMS's are standing by to clear the port and an amphibious TF is standing by to re-deploy the 38th division to Sumatra.

The Japanese 9th Ind. Mixed Bde. defeats the 83rd Chinese Corps near Chengting. Chinese forces suffer 42(0) infantry, 17(0) non-combat and 0(2) enginner squads lost including 1(0) guns totalling 474 casualties. The 9th has a few disabled squads.


Malaya:

Bombing of Singapore causes 8 AB, 1 ABS, 29 Runway and 1 Port hits. HDML P 10, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk.


Miscellaneous:

Cam Ranh Bay expands fortifications to size 2

xAK Fukuzan Maru arrives at Osaka/Kyoto

31st Special Base Force arrives at Takao


Thoughts:

KB will not pursue the cruisers which will full speed out of the area. KB will continue S.W. one more day, then definitely it's time to head for home. I've set half the Kate's back to using torpedoes.


122441 Update:


Sub Ops:

Japan

Nothing to report.

Allied

SS KXVIII torpedoes xAP Haruna Maru near Cotabato.

This Dutch Captain knows what he's doing and targets the largest transport in the TF, a 3800 troop capacity. A good portion of my invasion force will be lost if she sinks tomorrow. I under escorted this TF. I pay for every mistake I make in this game.


The Philippines:

Amphibious landing at Davao.

San Fernando and Taytay are captured.

A Port strike finally flies from Takao. Betty's (25) attack xAK Fairweather, Bomb hits 1, heavy damage.


China:

Amphibious landing at Pakhoi.

Hong Kong finally falls. AAR follows:

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 31803 troops, 383 guns, 250 vehicles, Assault Value = 884

Defending force 5270 troops, 112 guns, 59 vehicles, Assault Value = 75

Japanese adjusted assault: 506

Allied adjusted defense: 105

Japanese assault odds: 4 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Hong Kong !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
143 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
6435 casualties reported
Squads: 135 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 399 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 133 (133 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 53 (53 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 5

Japanese armour units attack near Kanshien. AAR follows:

Ground combat at 83,57 (near Kanhsien)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 1815 troops, 0 guns, 279 vehicles, Assault Value = 161

Defending force 13189 troops, 134 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 353

Japanese adjusted assault: 115

Allied adjusted defense: 139

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 2

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

Allied ground losses:
730 casualties reported
Squads: 4 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
4th Tank Regiment
2nd Tank Regiment
7th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
21st Chinese Corps
49th Chinese Corps
3rd New Chinese Corps


Malaya:

Bombing of Singapore results in 3 AB, 5 Runway and 2 Port hits.


Central Pacific:

Guam is captured. Guam USN Base Force is destroyed.


Miscellaneous:

Kota Bharu expands airfield to size 5
Ambon expands fortifications to size 1


Thoughts:

KB finds nothing so will now head home. Not a spectacular success, but I did sink some ships and upset the Allied timetable I'm sure. KB will now head N.W. to support landings at Baker and Canton Islands before returning to replenish aircraft, sorties, torps and fuel.

There are now seven Allied units reported at Palembang. It's time to move on Sumatra before I face a "Fortress Palembang" style defence! The 21st and 33rd Divisions are ordered to take the base. I'm prepping and amassing a large invasion TF. I will face stiff opposition from enemy naval and air forces this time.

More operations in the Celebes and Banda Sea's are about to commence. These will be supported solely by LBA and surface forces. CVL Ryujo is going to upgrade her Claude fighters to Zero's and some minor damage to the CV TF need to be repaired after a mistaken second turn run at full speed. I'm making far too many errors this game.

The "follow" command is still buggy after all the patches. Despite ordering my armour units in China to follow infantry units, they are constantly arriving first. This is really screwing me in China and is causing me days of delay and risk of having my armour units decimated from Chinese attacks. The latest is Nanyang where 3 Tank Regiments and 4 infantry divisions were to arrive at once. Instead, the tanks have arrived first and the only way the infantry will arrive next turn is if they are in "move" mode. I can't attack with the armour alone, so if I wait until the infantry arrive in "move" mode and Jocke attacks, I'll get slaughtered. Thanks buggy movement. I had hoped this had been fixed, because the last time I encountered this was almost two years ago.

This won't happen though, as I've approached Jocke about this issue and he's graciously accepted to let me withdraw my armour units out. However, I now lose my chance to attack Nanyang before reinforcements arrive. I have three small units about to get creamed S.W. of Nanyang which will allow these troops to join the defenders at Nanyang. So ends a quick dash to Sian, all thanks to faulty movement routines still plaguing this game. It just shows how one mistake or glitch has huge ramifications for game play. This needs to be fixed...period.

In the future, I will move my infantry and armour units separately so I don't get burnt anymore. [:@] This changes everything at the moment. The quick dash to Sian is pooched. In light of this, my strategy reverts to what worked last time in China. Kill everything.

Ok, I'm caught up. I'm working on the orders for Dec. 25th and will keep the AAR updated from now on. It sucks having to go back over things and present them days after the fact. I'll provide screenshots soon to bring things up to speed again and start preparing a month end summary.

[SqzMyLemon]

I like stacking limits, but it definitely changes tactical play and logistics. It's a change for the better and forces one to plan differently, which brings an added element of realism into the game. I won't miss the ground unit Death Star.

[SqzMyLemon]

I devoted a large portion of the time I spent completing the next turn looking over the situation in China. I'm not happy with my progress. I've made some serious errors that have contributed to not quickly breaking the Chinese defence around Yenan and Nanyang. I've been too reliant on bombing missions to provide intelligence on enemy troops movements, rather than using dedicated reconnaissance assets. It's been a huge mistake on my part. I've been operating blind to Chinese troop movements and I'm finding myself out of position, or understrength, to counter.

I completely dropped the ball at Yenan, which allowed the Chinese to mass seven units to block my advance on the base. If I had attacked immediately, I believe I'd have routed the defenders blocking my path and Yenan would now be under siege.

The same situation applies to Nanyang, but it's a combination of error on my part and the bugged "follow" command which allows armour to arrive before the infantry it's set to follow. I've had to attack with armour units numerous times without infantry support and failed to dislodge enemy units. The further threat of Jocke attacking right after my armour arrives, but prior to the infantry, means I have to switch the infantry to combat mode to avoid being attacked in move mode when they arrive, a severe disadvantage. In most cases, my armour arrives in a hex two days prior to the infantry and it's killing my operations. I will not combine infantry and armour movement using the "follow" command any further, it doesn't work.

That aside, the main reason China isn't going as planned is on me. I'll reorganize and start moving forward. My inital plan still holds. Fight anywhere except in 3x defensive terrain, unless absolutely necessary, and force the Chinese to garrison their bases to prevent supply reaching forward areas. I won't kill off Chinese units, but stick to my plan of straining the supply until the Chinese defence collapses of it's own accord. I've been roughed up early, but it's taken Chinese shock attacks to do it, and that burns supply.

I plan on posting monthly Chinese losses, as many others seem to be doing, to have a clearer idea on the state of the Chinese Army as the war progresses. I did a quick tally out of curiousity and it's not bad considering my slow advance to date.

Chinese losses (all causes) as of Dec. 24/41:

873 Infantry squads.
534 Non-combat squads
72 Engineer squads
53 Guns
0 Vehicles

Screenshots of China follow with the yellow circles showing problem areas.

Northern China:

[SqzMyLemon]

Southern China:

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

the bugged "follow" command which allows armour to arrive before the infantry it's set to follow. I've had to attack with armour units numerous times without infantry support and failed to dislodge enemy units. The further threat of Jocke attacking right after my armour arrives, but prior to the infantry, means I have to switch the infantry to combat mode to avoid being attacked in move mode when they arrive, a severe disadvantage. In most cases, my armour arrives in a hex two days prior to the infantry and it's killing my operations. I will not combine infantry and armour movement using the "follow" command any further, it doesn't work.

Have you posted in the Tech Support forum on this? I haven't seen this, but then I can't remember the last time I was operating ARM and INF units together ...

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

Have you posted in the Tech Support forum on this? I haven't seen this, but then I can't remember the last time I was operating ARM and INF units together ...

Hi Pax,

I believe I encountered this issue years ago when I first started and brought it up, but I don't think it was treated seriously or even fully understood what the implications of it not working were. I'm going to try setting infantry to follow the armour and see if that makes any difference. If that doesn't work, I'll manually adjust my movements to ensure my units arrive at the same hex, at the same time, without using the follow command.

I can't say for sure, but it probably cost me an early chance to seize Nanyang before Chinese reinforcements arrived and would have blocked two large formations of Chinese from being able to join up.

[SqzMyLemon]

Turned 44 today and definitely feeling older and fatter! I notice that B-day's just aren't the same the older you get. I usually take the day off work and do my own thing, but this year I'm working, and better yet, taking my Mother grocery shopping this evening for 10% off Tuesday...sigh.

At least I'll have a turn to run when I get home to salvage the day.

[:D]

[witpqs]

Happy birthday, junior! [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Happy birthday, junior! [:D]

If I'm a junior at 44, that must mean you're at least...[X(]

It's all relative! [:D] Thanks witpqs

[witpqs]

52, you youngin'! [:D]

[moore4807]

Sqz,
1) Happy birthday!
2) Your post about ARM not following designated infantry LCU - I was up this early AM and tried it out in China with a couple of rested units - "follow" seemed to work fine at first. However when I sent the units towards a battle the ARM got ahead of the INF units. Rough conclusion - when I changed the destination from a Base to a location, and reset the units to follow the INF unit, THEN the ARM unit didn't stay behind the INF unit, so I checked the manual and of course I can't find anything other than the travel speeds table and the small description of "follow" (pg 189 etc.) I don't have an answer but I see what you mean!
3) Since I'm reading both AAR's I wont comment on the game - but I am reading and appreciate your descriptive reasonings. Keep on Truckin!

[SqzMyLemon]

Japanese forces established a foothold on Mindanao with the capture of Davao on the 25th. Troops have also landed at Zamboanga, the only supply producing base on Mindanao. The Allies had abandoned the base. The plan will be to pin Allied troops at Cagayan and then siege them into submission. Davao and Zamboanga were the primary objectives. With both bases secure, I'll rely on lack of supply to reduce the enemy over time.

Kendari and Tarakan invasion forces will begin landing in a few days. The threat of Allied CV's appearing in the DEI is a real threat now with KB off near Tahiti, so I will be trying to land quickly on Timor under cover of LBA.

Palembang is going to be problematic. How much force will I need to deal with 7 Allied units of unknown disposition? I have the 21st and 38th Divisions available. I'd prefer to capture Oosthaven and get a foothold on Java at Merak to close off the strait to Allied use prior to dealing with Palembang, however, I'm not sure how much additional strength would be required for these operations. LBA would be limited to Kuantan and Singkawang. Not sure this would allow me to get to Oosthaven unmolested. I may have to land on some additional bases to develop some airfields closer to Batavia first.

Baker Island invasion forces have left Tarawa and will be covered by a small SCTF of CL's and DD's. Canton Island will follow, but I'll be timing that invasion with the arrival of KB. Canton being mined already and the number of ASW TF's and PT's around the base indicate it's not undefended. I do not want an early Allied foothold on either base. KB will raid SoPac again when replenished. Baker and Canton Islands will provide the eyes of the fleet via floatplane search. [8D]

I'm gathering forces for Rabaul, Lae and PM. I'm late getting to New Guinea and the Solomons. As with Canton Island, operations here will be supported by KB.

I now begin my strategy of targeting China's production. Immediate objectives are Loyang and area to deny this supply to Chinese forces. I begin a push towards Sian. Yenan must be cleared to allow supply to flow forward and I want to force the enemy to fight in 2x terrain rather than 3x. Any bases that do not generate supply will be left alone for now, they draw it away from more vital areas, and supply generally doesn't flow to these bases anyway. I'll be looking to pound smaller concentrations of Chinese troops while avoiding any slugfests with larger formations. It's all about bleeding the Chinese forces, while not destroying them, to strain supply to the breaking point. Then I destroy them [:D].

I've never faced Singapore after allowing every Allied unit to withdraw before. I'm guessing fort levels to be at 2-3 and holding because of my bombing attacks. I've just doubled the number of bombers conducting raids to cause more damage. I'm going to have five divisions available, with the 21st and 38th available in an emergency. I also have three divisions in the DEI, but one is needed for Rabaul and the Solomons. The other two are needed for Timor and Darwin.

The lack of extra troops provided in Scenario 1 will limit what I can do, but it's up to me to maximize the potential of what I do have. I've been overcommitting forces early, but that's my way to get divisions together quickly. Now I can use economy of force to take smaller bases while I recon primary targets to determine what I'll need and where to move quickly. I want to be established and moving through Java by the end of January at the latest.

A note on PP's. I've stopped spending for China specifically. I am now buying out air support units, engineers, base forces and 2nd Air Division formations for future offensives. I will use my air power to make up for the lack of troops and unlike my other game, it will be concentrated to achieve overwhelming force against whatever Allied forces are committed to contest my advances. I didn't attrition Allied air power last time, this time I will.

The more I look, India is a no go for me. Too many positives for the Allies if I strike there. If it was Scenario 2 though...

The next two months must be decisive for me, move quickly and destroy everything in my path while accomplishing my initial objectives. The sooner I can mount operations against Australia and SoPac the better.

[obvert]

Happy Birthday Joseph!



I've been away so I'll need a few days to catch up on things here.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Happy Birthday Joseph!



I've been away so I'll need a few days to catch up on things here.

Hi Erik,

Thanks! Where did you just return from?

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: moore4807

3) Since I'm reading both AAR's I wont comment on the game - but I am reading and appreciate your descriptive reasonings. Keep on Truckin!

Thanks for still following along and getting something out of it. Interesting test with the follow command. I plan on trying a few different things, but not against enemy held hexes anymore. I can't risk having the armour continue to arrive first.

[fcharton]

Happy birthday, lemon-san, many happy returns, and successful sweeps, and deadly DA.

François

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: fcharton

Happy birthday, lemon-san, many happy returns, and successful sweeps, and deadly DA.

François

+1

Banzai Joseph!

[;)]

[SqzMyLemon]

Thanks Gentlemen, a quiet Birthday of dinner with my Mother and grocery shopping [:D]. Although there were surprises awaiting me at home including the arrival of a package of model supplies and detail sets I'd ordered some time ago, and the latest issue of a model magazine!

Pumped about tonight though. Are you ready for some football? [8D] Ok, but what's happening in the game you ask?

Jocke's sneaky I think. I ran across some high value shipping last turn preparing to make a dash for safety from the Philippines. Ships sunk include xAP President Madison and AS Holland. Not a bad idea to sit back, wait for the majority of my shipping to be occupied elsewhere then try and slip through.

Zamboanga fell easily, so that source of supply for Allied troops is gone. I think I will make quick work of Cebu as I believe that also generates supply. I don't want any submarines transporting supply to Luzon or Mindanao. I whacked Cagayan pretty hard with a BB bombardment on the 25th. I really like bombardments now and they are a big part of my tactics. Sustained bombardments can really do a number on defending troops, as I learned in my other game. BB's are more than just bomb magnets and sources of FLAK now in my opinion, they are the hammer to tip the scales in favour of my ground forces when assaulting coastal bases.

Air recon of the Celebes indicates little opposition awaits me. Allied air is minimal, with 12 bombers showing up at Kendari. LRCAP from Manado and Ternate should be enough to protect my amphibious TF's from air attack. I've moved large numbers of surface ships to Ternate, they will protect the invasion fleets from naval interdiction short of Allied CV's appearing.

It's time to make a mad dash for bases as quickly as I can north of Australia. I haven't reconned Timor yet, but bases appear to be lightly defended, if at all, in the area. It appears Java is where the Allies will make their stand, much like my last game.

KB is sailing for Canton Island and was undetected last turn. I will stay 16 hexes away from Christmas Island and will arrive at Canton Island in about three days. I think KB will arrive well prior to my invasion TF which is bad, because I don't want her sitting around drawing submarine attention. The Baker Island invasion TF is still loading. Canton's is still a week away. It's a shorter sail to Canton Island from Tahiti then I thought. KB's fuel is fine and I still have 15k in the replenishment TF. I could snoop around the LOC between Hawaii and SoPac for a few days if needed.

Tabiteuea Island takes on new importance to me. Stacking limits in the Marshall's are extremely small. Tabiteuea Island allows 30k worth of troops. It will become my major base in the Gilbert Islands. I will take it in a matter of days and start building it up.

I've begun a major shifting of naval assets. I'm loaded in Malaya and the Celebes, but lacking assets in the Central Pacific and the Kuriles. I think I still need a large presence for Sumatra and Java, but can reduce the numbers in the Celebes. I figure 2 BB's, 4 CA's, 4 CL's and 16 DD's should be plenty for operations against New Guinea, the Solomons and Canton Island. These numbers don't include KB either. The problem is troops, that is what is slowing me down at the moment. I'll have everything sorted out and moving in a day or two.