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

[SqzMyLemon]

011842 Update:

A quiet turn.

Malaya:

Bombing of Singapore was effective with damage increasing, meaning no forts.

38th Division has recovered to 87 AV. Disruption should be recovered for all units by tomorrow and 21st Division arrives. Depending on its fatigue level, I may or may not launch another attack. My strength should be around 2700 AV, an almost 3:1 advantage. The question is whether I deliberate or shock attack. I'm leaning towards a deliberate attack, I need to lower forts without suffering huge casualties. If I get a poor roll doing a shock attack I could be setback weeks here. I think it's a case of slow and steady to reduce the forts, then finish with shock attacks to end the battle quickly.

Thoughts:

Everything is moving forward once again and I'm setting myself up to begin air operations against Java soon. I need to shift naval assets around, I'm heavy in the DEI and weak in SoPac. Same with air units, I'm heavily committed to the DEI and rather understrength in SoPac excluding KB. Mini-KB is in the Solomons minus CV Kaga, which will finish repairs next turn. She'll then head for Babeldoab. I want to get SoPac cleaned up quickly. KB has been at sea for quite some time and system damage is creeping up. Once Fiji and New Caledonia are taken care of it's time to get her replenished with aircraft, sorties and deal with repairs.

I've bumped up R&D substantially. Probably too much too early, but I wonder if the factories being less than 25 were making it harder to pass repair rolls. I'm not sure, hopefully Pax or someone will tell me otherwise. Either way, the factories were going to be expanded, I just set a number of them to 30 all at once.

I'm paying attention to SigInt to see where Allied movement is occurring. I received a visual of an Allied TF (unknown composition) between Pearl Harbor and Midway, so I'm vectoring in submarines to see if I can spot something.

Did I mention I need Singapore to fall quickly? [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

011942 Update:

Another quiet turn.

Malaya:

21st Division didn't arrive at Singapore today, but will tomorrow. Disruption is not down to zero yet, so the delay works out perfect. I'll hit Singapore with everything I've got once it arrives in 3-4 days.

Timor:

The amphibious landings were uncontested at Koepang. Overkill on my part, I sent two Inf. Rgt.'s, but one would have been enough after seeing how weakly held the base is.

Australia:

More units have arrived at Darwin, perhaps Jocke intends on defending the base after all. I will land at Wyndham instead and cut off Darwin or force a withdrawal.

SoPac:

KB is undetected 14 hexes west of Canton Island.

No sign of any Allied TF's around Suva or Pago Pago.

Central Pacific:

A lone enemy ship is spotted by submarine making it's way to Wake Island. Johnston Island indicates high volume of radio traffic. Adding this information to yesterdays discovery of enemy ships possibly en route to Midway has my spidey sense tingling. I've left Wake Island late, but that doesn't mean I want to risk the Allies reinforcing the base. I will think on whether KB should swing up into the Central Pacific and see just what's going on here.

Thoughts:

I'm surprised Jocke isn't hitting back right now. The majority of my TF's are being spotted in the DEI and SoPac, and they are rather on the thin side. Some Allied SCTF's could cause some serious trouble. I wonder if my earlier operations involving such large numbers of ships has somewhat scared off the Allies. Then again, Jocke may have made the decision to concentrate on the defence of Java and won't risk losing forces in sideshows.

Mini-KB can support my operations at New Caledonia and Fiji. This could free up KB to look elsewhere for trouble, or move to support the invasion of Wake Island after Canton Island is captured. Too much enemy activity in the Central Pacific and there's nothing being reported in SoPac. I may be chasing ghosts here.

I'll decide what to do tonight. As I mentioned earlier, it may be time to clean up a few loose ends.

[SqzMyLemon]

I'm hoping to get the AAR caught up to the game this weekend. Here are some recent developments.

Burma:

Rangoon is garrisoned now and Japanese forces have captured Toungoo. I'm now setting my sights on Taung Gyi. I'm going to avoid taking bases in clear terrain until I can provide adequate air coverage.

Malaya:

A deliberate attack was launched against Singapore on the 21st and 1:1 odds were achieved. The Allies suffered over a hundred destroyed infantry squads with another 230 being disabled. AV comparison is now roughly 2400 vs. 900 in Japan's favour. Forts were reduced to level 2. I will launch a second deliberate attack in 3 days after disruption has recovered. Artillery units will begin regular bombardments now that the heavy guns have arrived. I don't see Singapore holding out past January.

I will begin preparations for mine clearing and gather troop transports for a quick re-deployment of forces against Sumatra and Java.

Java:

Soerabaja's port was bombed on the 20th by Betty's based at Makassar, after 13 ships were reported disbanded there by search on the 19th. Zero's were ordered to sweep, but there was no Allied CAP. Lucky for me, as I chose not to escort the bombers and rely on the sweep to clear the way. One submarine and some smaller vessels were reported sunk, and two more submarines damaged.

I stood down the bombers on the 21st.

Timor:

Koepang fell easily to two infantry regiments. Timor's bases are all under Japanese control now. Additional support units will be deployed and operations against Northern Australia will commence shortly covered by LBA.

Borneo:

Balikpapan will be invaded soon by units currently at Makassar and Kendari. I want to land on Denpasar soon, but this will require LBA to gain control of the air over Eastern Java.

SoPac:

I've diverted the 65th Bde. to land at the base west of Suva supported by Mini-KB. There's no time like the present to try for Fiji. The 124th infantry regiment currently at Luganville will be used against New Caledonia, but may be diverted to Fiji depending on Allied strength at Suva.

KB was spotted N.W. of Pago Pago on the 20th and was ordered S.W. between Fiji and Pago Pago. KB was not spotted on the 21st, but neither were any Allied ships around Suva or Pago Pago. I'm going to either head back north to support operations at Canton Island, or take a stab further south to see if I can find some Allied shipping. I'm not surprised at having difficulty finding the enemy at this stage, because I'm certain everything is being routed farther south, hence the desire to capture Fiji. This base will allow me to stage naval air and surface assets right up to the southern map edge.

CentPac:

A small enemy transport TF was spotted east of Wake on the 19th. Submarines failed to intercept on the 20th or 21st. An AMC was sent to patrol the hex due east of Wake Island and no enemy transports were spotted by it's float plane. Was this a diversion or were the transports re-routed after being spotted? I'll see if the AMC can discover anything tomorrow.

China:

Good news here. Ten of 15 enemy units have moved west from Tsiaotso. This should meen the freeze will end after tomorrow's turn and I can resume my offensive. I still think the delay is going to cost me. It definitely appears the bombing was resetting the movement to zero. I will urge Jocke to not use the follow command when moving large stacks anymore, it obviously causes problems when being interdicted. Hopefully the new beta-patch will resolve this issue when we upgrade at some point here.

Thoughts:

The easy pickings are mostly gone now and the focus must turn to taking on some Allied strongpoints. I need to get the fuel/oil centres taken care of and begin to engage Allied forces around Java. No sign of enemy CV's, but I know they are out there somewhere. With Jocke knowing KB is in SoPac that leaves my forces in CentPac and the DEI vulnerable to a surprise attack. I'm doing my best to avoid any disasters, but confident my LBA will give me warning of Allied moves before I get stung.

I'll definitely try and update over the weekend with some screenshots to bring things up to speed.

[SqzMyLemon]

012242 Update:

China:

14 of 15 Chinese units move west from Tsiaotso. The war in China resumes tomorrow. Japanese forces currently engaged are ordered to deliberate attack. I hope 10 days hasn't allowed Chinese forces enough time to recover and stall the advance.

Malaya:

Artillery bombards Singapore. An enemy infantry squad and gun were destroyed. AV comparison is 2543 vs. 913 in Japan's favour. I attack again in two days.

CentPac:

I tried a deliberate attack at Canton Island and quite frankly I don't understand atoll combat. An almost 4:1 advantage results in 1:2 odds and one of the Maizuru SNLF units is completely trashed, again. I don't get it. AAR follows:

Ground combat at Canton Island (153,143)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3211 troops, 38 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 115

Defending force 1470 troops, 28 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 36

Japanese adjusted assault: 14

Allied adjusted defense: 26

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
787 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 20 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 19 (8 destroyed, 11 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
47 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
Maizuru 1st SNLF
Maizuru 2nd SNLF

Defending units:
Canton USN CPNAB
3rd Marine Defense Battalion

I'll be bringing the hammer soon to end this debacle.

SoPac:

KB heads S.W. from Pago Pago and finds an enemy TF of four DD's at Niue. Results of the morning strike are bad, with only one bomb hit being scored by 43 Kate's and Val's. The afternoon strike perfoms much better, but considering 70 bombers participated only 6 bomb hits were recorded. Weather was clear sky, so I expected more favourable results. Kate's from CV Soryu wasted their remaining torpedoes and scored no hits, again. AAR for the afternoon strike follows:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Niue at 146,168

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 17,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 41
D3A1 Val x 29

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

Allied Ships
DD Helm, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Mugford, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Bagley, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Blue, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires

Aircraft Attacking:
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
16 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 5000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
10 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Bagley
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Helm
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Mugford

Sinking sounds followed and one DD was recorded as sunk in the intelligence report.

The Fiji invasion TF should land tomorrow covered by Mini-KB. It's a race to get more units into the South Pacific. The lack of support units is critical at the moment. I'm buying out everything I can with the PP's currently available, but it will be weeks until I get enough forward.

Thoughts:

I'm gathering Zero's at Makassar to sweep Soerabaja in force. I'll try another port attack the following day. I'm gathering fighter strength in Malaya in preparation for pending operations against Allied air at Batavia, over 120 fighters at last count.

I may divert four divisions from Malaya after the fall of Singapore to deal with Clark Field and Bataan. I need to clear the mines and CD guns to allow bombardments of Manila. With regular bombardments I can severely speed up the fall of Luzon. This would still leave me three divisions to tackle Palembang and get a beachhead established on Java.

The window for an all out invasion of Australia gets a little smaller everyday. It will be a question of how quickly can I get some must have areas of the map sorted out. Palembang needs to be dealt with, as does Canton Island, Wake Island and Port Moresby. I'm going to need KB to support operations against Australia, but right now she's needed in SoPac. She'll then need a few weeks to recover and finally replenish aircraft and sorties. Until I can get naval LBA established in SoPac, KB's not going anywhere.

[witpqs]

Something that is not at all revealed in the combat reports is firepower. You see some of that when you watch the animations (I for one wish that all information available in animations was also available in the CR) when you see the AV of units being reduced as various guns fire.

There are two things you ought to look at. First is the firepower of the squads (both 'squads' and 'engineer' in Tracker on the Devices screen) and AFVs on both sides. Look at the anti-hard and anti-soft ratings. Notice that there are big differences among various squads. This makes a huge difference! Anti-hard is increased in importance when assaulting a fortified position. AFVs will also have armor, which resists the shots of the enemy.

Second thing is look at the other weapons (i.e. non-squads). These are not squads and so don't count in the AV calculation but they can/do damage and destroy both squads and other devices, suppress squads, drive up disruption, etc.

They haven't given us a formula, but by looking at these things you will start to develop a 'feel' to go along with numerical AV comparisons you make.

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Something that is not at all revealed in the combat reports is firepower. You see some of that when you watch the animations (I for one wish that all information available in animations was also available in the CR) when you see the AV of units being reduced as various guns fire.

There are two things you ought to look at. First is the firepower of the squads (both 'squads' and 'engineer' in Tracker on the Devices screen) and AFVs on both sides. Look at the anti-hard and anti-soft ratings. Notice that there are big differences among various squads. This makes a huge difference! Anti-hard is increased in importance when assaulting a fortified position. AFVs will also have armor, which resists the shots of the enemy.

Second thing is look at the other weapons (i.e. non-squads). These are not squads and so don't count in the AV calculation but they can/do damage and destroy both squads and other devices, suppress squads, drive up disruption, etc.

They haven't given us a formula, but by looking at these things you will start to develop a 'feel' to go along with numerical AV comparisons you make.

Mulling over why my troops at Canton Island are doing so badly, I think you are absolutely right witpqs. Like most others, I use AV as a simple comparison of "relative" troop strengths, but I understand it's more complicated then that. The SNLF and Naval Guard units just don't have the muscle needed to take or hold a fortified position. I will adjust my thinking and dispositions appropriately. Thanks for making things much clearer.

[PaxMondo]

this becomes even MORE apparent as the game goes along.  The allies get squad upgrades that increase their firepower with no change in AV.  In the early war, IJ squads are a so-so match.  by mid-war you need numerical advantages.  by late-war, yikes, even on defense they are at a large disadvantage.

[SqzMyLemon]

Jocke's latest e-mail with the turn indicates a "surprise" in store for me. I don't like surprises, especially not at this stage. The Jan. 23rd turn has just been run, but no surprise...yet. I've organized my air search as best I can to try and get some indication of what Jocke may be up to.

Attacks resumed in China and 3 out of 4 were succesful. The one that wasn't is the most important. More on that later.

KB swung S.W. and found...nothing. I suspect I went the wrong way again. KB is retiring towards New Caledonia to support landings there and will make it's way back to Rabaul and area. The invasion of Fiji has been aborted. I'm too stretched out and I lack adequate support units to follow up. I'm scaling things back in SoPac in order to deal with many loose ends that I want tied off. Wake Island and Port Moresby the most pressing. Also, I think I need to get KB together again and supporting operations in the DEI.

Right now, I'm essentially showing KB, but accomplishing little with her. I do not have an adequate search network set up to maximize her strike potential. It's almost the end of January. I have more important objectives right now than to sail blindly around hoping I run into something. I'm showing my hand. It's time for KB to "disappear" and leave Jocke in the dark.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to do some screenshots tonight.

[SqzMyLemon]

KB was ordered back to Niue with primary and secondary missions of naval and port attack respectively. I was hoping the port would be hit, because four enemy ships are reported disbanded there. I presume these to be the damaged DD's from the other day and I'd like to sink them. KB didn't launch though and I wasted a day. These DD's will live to fight another day, because KB is retiring towards New Caledonia.

I got cold feet about landing on New Caledonia with only mini-KB in support. After Jocke's warning of a pending surprise, I thought it best to withdraw until KB arrives. I'm vulnerable to enemy SCTF's or CV raids all over the map and I'd prefer to not give away any freebies. The delay also gives me a chance to move support units forward.

In China, Japanese forces failed to move four Chinese Corps blocking the secondary road to Sian. The stacking limit in this hex is 40k and my attacks are wearing down the Chinese, but time is an issue. The large Chinese force of 15 units withdrawing from Tsiaotso appears to be attempting a river crossing to enter the hex. This will overstack the Chinese and I'm curious to see how that will affect combat. I like the fact that I can't simply bludgeon my way forward now with stacking limits in place. It definitely will slow the pace of operations in China.

A second deliberate attack is ordered against Singapore this turn. Artillery bombardments have been effective and this indicates the defenders are in trouble. Forts are still level 2, but if they can be reduced during the next attack and the Allies suffer large losses, I will try a final shock attack when my units recover after this assault.

Soerabaja was swept by 80+ Zero's against no CAP. Jocke is training or has his units set to escort bombers on naval strike. I'll stop sweeps until the bombers are in place to hit the airbase and catch the enemy on the ground.

I've completely stalled in January. Lack of support units and poor planning are the primary reasons. I think I tried to push too fast in a few areas without the necessary logistics in place. I'm addressing the problem.

[SqzMyLemon]

The economy is beginning to stabilize and production is meeting daily requirements. Pools of aircraft remain low, but that is intentional on my part until better aircraft become available. HI is being added to the pool at a rate of 6k a day, totalling 240k as of Jan. 25th. A concern is the amount of resources reaching Japan, I'm currently in freefall. I'm not importing any fuel to Japan at this time and the reserve is dwindling. Oil is being imported from Takao, Shikuka and Hokkaido, but not in amounts large enough to increase the stockpile. Once Palembang, Balikpapan and Singapore are captured the flow of fuel/oil/resources back to the Home Islands will increase substantially.

KB is still in remarkable shape. Despite one day of FS movement and being at sea continually since Dec. 7th, system damage on all ships remains less than 10%. Engine damage is minimal, the highest being 2%. I have tons of sorties left, and most air units are at full strength with reserve aircraft still available.

VP's lost to low garrisons are mounting. I've been hammered by this in China, especially in the coastal bases. I've decided to deploy a number of Naval Guard units as garrisons along the coast of China to stop the VP bleeding. In fact, they will be used throughout the Pacific to meet garrison requirments since they are next to useless in a defensive role.

Priorities for offensive operations in the Pacific are Palembang, Balikpapan, Batavia, Darwin, Port Moresby, New Caledonia and Wake Island. I want all these dealt with no later than March 1st. I want to be landing in strength against Australia in March. I'm already late, but that's due to poor planning and execution on my part.

February will officially be "destroy the enemy wherever found" month. The Allies have been avoiding combat, it's time to take the fight to them and force them out from their holes. The theme song for February will be Disturbed's "Indestructible" and for those of you unfamiliar with the song (I'm guessing many of you) here are some of the lyrics:

Another mission, the powers have called me away
Another time to carry the colors again
My motivation, an oath I’ve sworn to defend
To win the honor of coming back home again

No explanation will matter after we begin
Unlock the dark destroyer that’s buried within
My true vocation and now my unfortunate friend
You will discover a war you’re unable to win

I’ll have you know
That I’ve become

Indestructible
Determination that is incorruptible
From the other side, a terror to behold
Annihilation will be unavoidable

Every broken enemy will know
That their opponent had to be invincible
Take a last look around while you’re alive
I’m an indestructible master of war!

January can't end soon enough in terms of wasting time, but I'm expecting to move forward in February and assert total dominance over the Allies in all theatres.

[obvert]

I got cold feet about landing on New Caledonia with only mini-KB in support. After Jocke's warning of a pending surprise, I thought it best to withdraw until KB arrives. I'm vulnerable to enemy SCTF's or CV raids all over the map and I'd prefer to not give away any freebies. The delay also gives me a chance to move support units forward.

Don't fall for his tricks. He's always warning of a surprise! [:)] Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. Make sure your ass is covered, but don't change too much from those messages.

Why are you having low garrisons in China?

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

Don't fall for his tricks. He's always warning of a surprise! [:)] Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. Make sure your ass is covered, but don't change too much from those messages.

Why are you having low garrisons in China?

He said the same to me actually Erik. There's always a surprise coming, it's just a question of when. [:D]

I did feel vulnerable though. Just the 2 CVL's and a CVE are easy pickings for two Allied CV's. I'm sure the coast was clear, but as you said "cover your ass" and I felt mine was rather exposed.

About the VP's. I like to combine the 51st Division quickly and left some garrisons below requirements along the coast. I can't get RGC units re-deployed fast enough. The 10 day freeze didn't help either as I couldn't move units during that period. I'm almost sorted out, but I have lost a lot of VP's in my rush to apply early pressure in China. I like to think if I destroy large numbers of Chinese squads/devices I'll more than make up the VP losses.

I get a sense Jocke is relaxing somewhat due to my slow advance in January. I'm hoping he gets a little bored and looks to cause some mischief, only to run into more than he bargained for.

[SqzMyLemon]

Malaya:

The second deliberate attack against Singapore went well achieving 1:1 odds. The fort level was reduced to one and the Allies lost over 175 destroyed infantry squads. Japanese Ind. Eng. Rgt.'s are taking a beating though, with 85 engineer squads lost today. I'm down to one combat effective Ind. Eng. Rgt. while the other three need to be placed into reserve awaiting replacements. The 38th Division is also being held in reserve and has recuperated to 135 AV.

Artillery bombardments will resume while bombers will concentrate on the airbase to prevent fort construction until disruption of ground forces recovers. I will launch either a deliberate or shock attack in 3-4 days depending on fatigue and disruption levels. I think a shock attack might achieve the 2:1 needed to capture the base, but not sure if I should wait until the fort level is zero.

Java:

A sweep of Soerabaja again encountered no enemy CAP. A sweep and bombing of the port is ordered for tomorrow. It appears all the Allied fighters in Java have been deployed to Batavia. Recon indicated 160+ fighters. Anyone ever try bombarding Batavia with BB's? I'd risk the mines to tear a chunk out of Allied air while on the ground. A bombardment mission with embedded DMS's and set to a range of 10-15k to avoid the worst of the CD guns could be effective. I'll think on it.

Timor:

Amphibious TF's are being assembled at Ambon and will pick up troops at Koepang and Lautem for operations against Australia. I'm going to make sure enough support units and supply are landed to ensure LBA is flight capable immediately. I've decided to not land directly at Darwin and instead Broome, Derby and Wyndham will be the objectives. Broome is the primary target to allow Betty/Nell deployment upon capture. I will have no CV support, so it's imperative I land everything quickly and establish local CAP by D+2.

SoPac:

A bit of a gong show at the moment. Both CV TF's are spotted and I'm sure the constant change in direction has Jocke wondering if I have some master plan or simply on drugs. All TF's are ordered to move on New Caledonia immediately. Once I establish LBA, KB is off to replenish and support landings at Wake Island, Port Moresby and Horn Island in that order. Then I can turn my attention fully to Java and Perth.

China:

The China front is fluid and there appears to be a Chinese effort to break out from the Nanchang area. Chinese units are moving east from Changsha. I believe I have enough to counter, and the stack trying to break out may be exceeding stacking limits along much of its movement route.

I'm pushing forward in the north, but recon indicates 18 enemy units at Sian, 15 trying to breakout from encirclement and a further 12-14 in the woods southeast of Sian. By no means is Sian or operations in the north going to be easy.

Thoughts:

Finally getting in position to move against Balikpapan and west towards Java. Operations against North Australia will begin shortly. The Wake Island invasion force is gathering at Babeldoab and just awaiting KB's support. Lae has an Air HQ now so local CAP is available and I can assemble the Port Moresby invasion force once Wake Island has fallen.

Fuel, supply and support units are moving forward. I should be able to sustain a good pace over the next month. There are some serious Allied obstacles on Luzon, Sumatra and Java to overcome, but I think I'm in good shape to lay a beating on the Allies and accomplish all my objectives swiftly. The cost has yet to be determined, and it's clear Jocke will strongly contest moves against Palembang and Batavia. I expect to see American and British CV's supported by strong surface forces.

February is going to be a busy month.

[SqzMyLemon]

Does anybody think a final shock attack should do the trick after results like these?

Ground combat at Singapore (50,84)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1902 troops, 109 guns, 143 vehicles, Assault Value = 2554

Defending force 43981 troops, 460 guns, 321 vehicles, Assault Value = 745

Allied ground losses:
198 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 2 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)

Assaulting units:
4th Division
Imperial Guards Division
4th Ind. Engineer Regiment
5th Division
21st Division
20th Ind. Engineer Regiment
1st Tank Regiment
14th Tank Regiment
38th Division
18th Division
33rd Division
3rd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind. Engineer Regiment
25th Army
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
23rd Ind. Engineer Regiment
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
18th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment

Defending units:
11th Indian Division
2nd Malay Battalion
3rd Cavalry Regiment
1st Malay Battalion
1st Hyderabad Battalion
27th Australian Brigade
22nd Australian Brigade
2nd Loyal Battalion
2/17 Dogra Battalion
9th Indian Division
109th RAF Base Force
24th NZ Pioneer Coy
2nd Gordons Battalion
SSVF Brigade
111th RAF Base Force
112th RAF Base Force
Malayan Air Wing
Singapore Base Force
3rd ISF Base Force
1st Manchester Battalion
1st Indian Heavy AA Regiment
223 Group RAF
22nd Indian Mountain Gun Regiment
110th RAF Base Force
5/14th Punjab Battalion
2nd HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
Singapore Fortress
Malaya Army
2nd ISF Base Force
3rd Heavy AA Regiment
III Indian Corps
3rd HK&S Light AA Regiment
1st HK&S Heavy AA Regiment
1st ISF Base Force
AHQ Far East
109th RN Base Force

[obvert]

Depends on what your fatigue/disruption levels look like now. But you look in good shape from that bombardment. I am wary of the shock attack when I want to keep the industry intact. If you DA again, with forts at either 1 or being lowered to 0, you might keep more factories and still get the base.

[SqzMyLemon]

Hi Erik,

I'll probably stick to deliberate attack for two reasons. First, to avoid damaging the facilities as much as possible and two, to avoid trashing my units in case of a bad roll. The bombers were supposed to hit the base last turn, but were grounded. The airbase shows only 10% damage now. If the bombers again don't fly, I risk the forts reaching level 2 again prior to a shock attack. Not worth the risk to my troops at this stage. Like you said, maybe the deliberate attack will be enough to carry the day. I attack again in two days once disruption recovers from the last assault.

[SqzMyLemon]

Malaya:

The last bombardment against Singapore achieved great results and was posted above. The base will fall shortly and I'm still hoping by the end of January.

China:

Japanese armoured forces have pushed three Chinese Corps and an HQ into the clear hex east of Sian. This enemy force is completely trashed having suffered a series of defeats while covering the last 138 miles.

Japanese forces again tried to clear the secondary road hex on the way to Sian, but failed. I have to hurry, I believe I only have about 4-6 days left before the enemy stack from Tsiaotso arrives. Odds were 1:1 last attack, so I will rest a day then shock attack to try and rout the defenders to claim ownership of the hex.

I definitely have to post screenshots soon. There is a development around Changsha, that may yield an opportunity to catch Chinese units out of position while attempting to support their encircled comrades trying to breakout from the Nanchang area. This would require me to quickly rail units to Wuchow from the Loyang area.

DEI:

Denpasar appears to be weakly held. I'll paradrop a unit in and try to get some air support flown in to provide CAP right on Java's doorstep.

Java:

The withdrawal of enemy fighter units from Soerabaja opened the door for another port strike. Two enemy submarines were hit and one apparently sank. SS Stingray showed up on the sunk list and the submarine sinking sound was heard.

The Philippines:

A Japanese port strike against Bataan appears to have sunk the ACM disbanded there. This should begin to reduce the minefield. I'm moving in air units to begin bombing airbases.

SoPac:

Landings will begin on New Caledonia today and tomorrow. I'll land at Koumac and march on Noumea.

[SqzMyLemon]

Jocke's about to become a Father and will obviously have his attention focused elsewhere over the coming days/weeks. Turns may be sporadic over this period, so this will give me a perfect opportunity to fully update the AAR with screenshots and other information. I'll start working on screens tonight and update over the next few days.

Congratulations will be in order for the soon to be parents!

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

Jocke's about to become a Father and will obviously have his attention focused elsewhere over the coming days/weeks. Turns may be sporadic over this period, so this will give me a perfect opportunity to fully update the AAR with screenshots and other information. I'll start working on screens tonight and update over the next few days.

Congratulations will be in order for the soon to be parents!

We can hatch evil plans and plot his downfall while he is distracted by fatherly bliss and chronic fatigue! [:D]

[SqzMyLemon]

ORIGINAL: obvert

We can hatch evil plans and plot his downfall while he is distracted by fatherly bliss and chronic fatigue! [:D]

Exactly!