Islands of Destiny: RA 5.0 Japanese Side

[pws1225]

Ah, welcome back. Good to see you posting again. I'm looking forward to how this game plays out.

[John 3rd]

Thank you Sir.

KB moves farther NW on the 14th. Approach strike range of Adelaide and Augusta. One major strike is flown as 87 Zero, 27 Val, and 24 Kate sink 3 AK, 1 AP, and an AS. Other shipping moves due south and NW as everything races away from the Raid. Split CarDiv5 South to go after these ships. The remaining two Divisions move NW and I set a Daitai of Kates from Akagi and Kaga to Port Strike the two bases mentioned above. Fuel begins to be a concern. I have AOs coming down the west coast of Aussieland and AOs passing Lord Howe's Island in the east. Makes me a bit nervous to expose my AOs like this so I want to be somewhat careful.

KB-2 moves into an Ambush position SW of Perth hoping to catch the warships seen yesterday moving away from Melbourne heading NW. We'll see if they get some hunting in!

Dan and I keep a running commentary up with our emails and when we played our WitP Campaign he hated it when I would telegraph a turn by declaring "Banzai!" in the message. Drove him NUTS and I didn't clearly realize it at the time. We spoke about it later and we have kept the patter somewhat light throughout this game to this point. I blew that slightly a few days ago when I sprung this ambush. Not much has gone right in this campaign and so I felt elated for a positive to occur. Dan commented to this in his gentlemanly manner and I apologized. Stated my opinions of having low morale due to the Ground Situation and how I have thrown the entire PLAN OF WAR out the window due to the adverse affects of Singapore and Clark. Don't think he quite understands that being in mid-March and having 75% of your major combat forces tied down where they should have LEFT 6 weeks earlier is a TERRIBLE thing for the Japanese player. Add to that 4 mangled Japanese Infantry Divisions and any JFB knows that ambitious operations are severely limited at this stage.

This doesn't mean I am done. It simply means I am now improvising the later phases of Operational Planning now. Think I will still push in North and Central Australia but India is gone at this point. Want to take Port Blair where several Brigades of Indian Troops await surrendering to Japan.

The Aleutians pose opportunities as well. The troops he has moved into Dutch Harbor, Akutan, and Cold Bay are not too much to handle. I've spotted mainly engineers and Base Forces. 8th Marines is at Akutan and I would love to wipe out some Marines! He has been put on notice that a portion of the Fleet is on the prowl up here as Yamato, Mutsu, and Nagato have now conducted bombardments of the later two targets. AFs are now at or approaching 2 and I have moved two Daitai of Zeros, Vals, and Kates to the area. As soon as Umnak goes to Lvl-2 AF then I can really cause some headaches for anything coming into Dutch Harbor or Akutan. Will probably move an Inf Div north once something is freed up just to stir the hornet's nest up some! Keep in mind I see this as a secondary theatre. The Kuriles are being built-up even as I write this down.

I've never tried to work a full scale offensive in China. It strikes me as somewhat unrealistic. Japan never really had a chance to fight the Chinese Hordes and anyone who thinks they could have effectively done this I would have a 'discussion' with. This being said, I would like to take the Changsha area with its four bases there. Once grabbed then I shall STOP and settle on the defense. Might not be able to accomplish this anyway but it is fun trying. I added a bunch of airpower to this theatre by buying out all the 2nd Air Division's assets and moving them into Central China. 2 Sentai of Oscars and 4 Sentai of Lily and Sally are flying bombs runs and being quite effective hitting units and smashing AF. Am trying to drain supply from the Chinese while I ship in about 50,000 supply a month. Want to be clear here in that I bought out every Sentai, 2nd Air Division HQ, and several Manchurian BF. Think it is BEYOND gamey to buy out the HQ and move all the planes for free. Not right in my opinion.

About ready to watch another failed ground attack at Singapore. Have over 200 bombers hitting the AF everyday. Flak is beginning to lesson and so I have dropped my altitude from 15,000 Ft down to 10,000 Ft and will see the result. If it is still decent I'll come down down again to about 8,000 Ft and shift the Army over to LCU Attack for a day or two prior to the Ground Assault. Southern Army (at Johore Bharu) and 25th Army (at Singapore) and now both at 100% prep. Perhaps they shall get their respective crap together and help the attack carry through. I entertain little hope of this with the way my ground attacks have gone but we'll see...

[obvert]

Dan and I keep a running commentary up with our emails and when we played our WitP Campaign he hated it when I would telegraph a turn by declaring "Banzai!" in the message. Drove him NUTS and I didn't clearly realize it at the time. We spoke about it later and we have kept the patter somewhat light throughout this game to this point. I blew that slightly a few days ago when I sprung this ambush. Not much has gone right in this campaign and so I felt elated for a positive to occur. Dan commented to this in his gentlemanly manner and I apologized.

It's interesting how different opponents respond to the emails and exchanges during the course of a game. Jocke often appreciates it if I gently let him know it might be a good turn to watch with a scotch in hand, or to give him the heads up quickly if his ops didn't fall flat before he's got a chance to see the turn. Torsten and I mostly just send the turns back and forth with no chat, but occasionally have an email note, or even chat for a while on Skype, mostly not about the game though.

I find this psychological part of the game both interesting and difficult to negotiate. You certainly don't want to rub it in if things are going well, and likewise don't want to be too bitter when your best laid plans get tripped up. The farther we go into 44 the less the curtain of secrecy inhibits my messages, though. He's now the one who's got the secrets to keep. He always lets me know when it's a big turn though, which is both good and bad!

Stated my opinions of having low morale due to the Ground Situation and how I have thrown the entire PLAN OF WAR out the window due to the adverse affects of Singapore and Clark. Don't think he quite understands that being in mid-March and having 75% of your major combat forces tied down where they should have LEFT 6 weeks earlier is a TERRIBLE thing for the Japanese player. Add to that 4 mangled Japanese Infantry Divisions and any JFB knows that ambitious operations are severely limited at this stage.

It's pretty ambitious to think of getting the troops out of Java, Luzon and Singapore six weeks prior to where you are. I think the best course once you find out where he is strong, like Singapore, is to throw as much as you can at it in the hope of taking each spot one at a time. As you well know Dan is a sneaky pestering kind of player who will throw any number of roadblocks in to slow your progress. Scrapping any 2nd tier plans until these ops are finished is probably the only course of action.

You shouldn't feel like you can't have a next level plan though even after the invasion deadline. This mod with it's extra tools and his probable feelings of confidence after slowing your progress could leave him open for another kind of target. A strong push for Perth, an extended push in the upper Burma area or even a strong move to the Calcutta area if it's masked by other ops elsewhere. Once these thorns are out of your side even just sitting back and digging in could give you a great late 42 into 43.

[John 3rd]

Always good thoughts Obvert.

Australia
1. The invasion of Western Australia shall take place. The 2 1/2 ID wrapping up Java should be enough to rile that area up pretty good. I've got 2 SNLF Assault Brigades, some Artie, and a HQ two hexes north of Geraldton. They will advance southwards when my BUsselton Invasion Force departs. Add that I am moving Paras to Pt Hedlund and then Corruna Downs and one can see some serious opportunities. The Paras will try to grab Kalgoorlie to close the door on retreat and reinforcement to this theatre. A Brigade or Regiment of Inf will be sitting in Corunna to fly into any grabbed base to stiffen the resistance.

2. Have the 6th and 14th ID plus a full Brigade sitting in Rabaul. These guys will land at Bowen--as planned--and cause trouble on that side of the continent.

Reinforcements will flow to both sides as things shake free.

As to Dan's touchiness we had another exchange when he sprung a full Fighter Group (58+ P-40s) in Changsha. I had two groups of Zeros (27 and 18 planes) doing Sweeps over that base and wrote in the comments area for the turn 'FURBALL!' Fairly innoculous but he took umbrage that it tainted his watching of the turn. Forgot how he could be touchy in this area. Am adjusting to not much of anything and then discuss the PREVIOUS turn with the current being sent.


March 17, 1942

I do like when a Plan actually WORKS.

The KB drives a CRAPLOAD of combat vessels into the waiting arms of a STF and KB-2 SW of Perth. The trap springs with a satisfying SNAP! The STF gets roughed up (Lose CA Suzuya, CL Sendai, and 2 DDs) while they sink CL Tromp and DD Electra plus do damage to a HOSTE of other warships (Prince of Wales, CA New Orleans, several CLs, and 3 other DDs). The CVs swing into the fray with morning and afternoon strikes that hit Prince of Wales (1 TT and 3 B), CA Exeter (1 TT and 3 B), CL's Perth (3 B) and Trenton (2 B), as well as damage to 4 DDs. Not too bad. Slows everyone down as the KB closes in from the SE.

He has nowhere to run. Order KB-2 to move due north to cover the long run to Ceylon. KB-1a (SE of Esperance in Screenshot with CarDiv1 and CVL) moves west across the southern Port towns heading for Perth while KB-1b (CarDiv2 and CVL) angles NW headed to the same location. Three AOs with 24,000 fuel begin to angle in to refuel these two TF. KB-1c (CarDiv5 and CVL) prepare to rendezvous with 5 AOs west of Tazmania.

Am hoping for excellent results over the next 2-3 turns...

[pws1225]

Sweet!

[John 3rd]

Yummy!

We're busy cranking out the turns and I am PASTING the DEI--Australian Naval Force. Getting some nice, larger game in the ole hunting bag. Damn. This is looking pretty good for making Australia's invasion easier...

[obvert]

Well, that is a very nice sight!

[John 3rd]

March 20, 1942

The carriers continue to wreak havoc and destruction upon all sorts of ships within the Allied Fleet. While I have not seen a lot of actual ships SINKING the numbers that are damaged is quite large.

These are the losses (I believe) so far:

Warships:
CA Exeter
CL Tromp, Danae
Destroyers: Walke, Electra, Express, Witte De With, Whipple

Merchant--Aux Ships
AK 12
AKL 14
AP 1
TK 4
AO 7
AS 1
AG 1
DMS 2
CM 3
PC 2
AM 6
AMc 3

Damaged Warships with number of Bomb and TT Hits:
BB Prince of Wales 8 B--3 TT
CA New Orleans 8 B (Sunk???)
CL Perth 2 B, Trenton 2 B, Glasgow 1 B, De Ruyter 6 B (Sunk???), Mauritius 2 B
DD Five have taken at least a bomb.

CarDiv2 just refueled from AOs and now can go after the warships around Prince of Wales. CarDiv5 refueled SW of Tazmania and is doing a Sweep along the SW Coast of Aussieland, CarDiv1 will refuel partially from the AOs that took care of CarDiv2, and KB-2 retires towards cardnavon with next to no sorties left. Three AKEs are there waiting and a group of 5 Tankers with 35,000 Fuel will be there in just a couple of days.

That about covers it for the moment...

[John 3rd]

Forgot an event that nearly provided me a heart attack. Decided to launch a Deliberate Attack at Singers. I could not imagine the result! We got 1:1 (1166--797). The troops will rest for two days and try a Shock Attack for a 2-1. This is the HOPE at least...

[:'(]

[Sakai007]

I plan on running a game vs. the AI as Japan once my current game as the allies is done, and this AAR is pure education for my next WitP:AE undertaking. A great read sirs, thank you all!

[John 3rd]

ORIGINAL: Sakai007

I plan on running a game vs. the AI as Japan once my current game as the allies is done, and this AAR is pure education for my next WitP:AE undertaking. A great read sirs, thank you all!

Thanks for the comment. I really wish I could actually spend some time working regularly on the AAR.

Since moving up and taking over my store as Manager my work has been spotty at best on the Forum. Really want to get into a talk about RA and the economy to try to demonstrate the good and bad options within the Scenario. Don't know if that will happen but it might help some of the other players out there. I know Dan really keeps his rolling every day and I could only WISH for the independent businessman job that he possesses! It is planned for Paula and I to move in that direction but not for a while yet.

As most of you know Dan left for a hiking trip with his family for the last 4-5 days and should be back at it today. let us see....what have I done over those same days? Simple. Worked 40+ hours in 4 days with another to go. BIG SMILES!

[John 3rd]

Dan is back in action and we got in a pair of turns today. It appears that the Cochran Household will all go to bed early tonight except the PATRON of the home so this means--with no turn to do--I can actually do a Post.

There have been positive developments in China and we have ordered what is HOPED FOR to be the FINAL assault on Singapore...

[John 3rd]

Getting ready for dinner and thought I would Post a screenshot of Dan's defensive line in China. The Railroad Line has FINALLY been pierced breaking his ability to rapidly shift troops anywhere along the Front.

Main Thrusts:
1. Nanning just fell on 3-23 and there are 3 TK Reg and 3 Inf Divisions Operating here.

2. The river crossing breaking the line has an Inf Div in place with two more crossing within 3-5 days.

3. The ground between the two attacks has three more IDs working to force their way through the line as well.

4. Dan has taken the bate in my China Deployment where I left just single Brigades and Artillery squarely in front of the two hexes east of Changsha. He has attacked SE of Changsha and driven my Brigade from the hex. WANT him to do the same due east of Changsha. Hopefully--he will think I am weak and advance. If he does he will find all cities nearby with good Forts and plenty of Assault Value to hold.

While he is doing that I continue to add more troops to those at Changsha. Currently 2 ID and 2 Engineer units is at this base. Two more ID and several Artillery units are moving in as well. If possible, I WANT Changsha and cutoff those troops to the east.

This dispersion of effort is somewhat necessary due to the Stacking Limits. I follow them pretty closely and HOPE this will work.

[Saros]

When you do pics of ground theaters can you show hexside control? It makes it a lot easier to tell what is happening.
Also Chinese troops in the open near Nanyang! Go get em!

[John 3rd]

Saros: Here is the requested shot.

If you look at both screenshots you will see that Canton has 145 Planes (added 27 Sally at end of turn) and Hankow is stocked with 196. Add a further 112 up at Ichang and one can see the amount of bombing power I have moved into China. I've been working Changsha and the three nearby bases over with this airpower for several weeks now. Am trying to wipeout supply as well as keep the Forts from rising. Kweilin and Liuchow have also been getting hit regularly. Many of those bombers are going over to ground attack in an effort to raise disruption in targeted hexes.

PLANS:
With some work his right flank is in deep kimchi. Am going to try to move west from my river crossing and drive out the solitary Chinese units holding those hexes and move on Kweilin.

He has booted my TK Reg out of Liuchow and advanced AWAY from the town. This has been encouraged as I have a pair of IDs moving into the SW of the town across from the river. They will drive across the river and inflict serious casualties as well as pin down those troops from helping the soldiers at Kweilin. Nanning fell to a single ID in a 9-1 assault on the 22nd.

In the Center, I need hexside control and so the ID in the SW hex next to Changsha will advance into the Changsha and then advance out to the SE. There are 4 Chinese units due east of Changsha and 3 SE of CHangsha. I WANT THEM if possible...

The north is stabile for the moment.

[John 3rd]

CarDiv5 has stayed in the southern area near Melbourne for a few days and is now high-tailing it to join-up with its sisters. Don't like keeping them in an unsupported area of operations at this point so they got their sailing orders to MOVE OUT and head for western Aussieland. They have plenty of fuel and can scoot right along.

To the SW are part of my AOs support TF. I NEED the 35,000+ fuel carried in those AOs so I order them to FULL Speed for the next two days so they can head for a rendezvous and completely refuel the entire KB.

[John 3rd]

A large portion of the Fleet sits at Carnavon waiting for fuel. This primitive Port has Hiryu, Soryu, Zuiho, Ryujo, Junyo, Hosho, and Taiyo all sitting there waiting for 3 large AOs to enter and refuel. They have emptied 3 large AKE so all their sorties and Torps are back in good order. Fuel tomorrow and they can sail to join their sisters coming up from the south.

[John 3rd]

Here sits CarDiv1 in hot pursuit of enemy combatants. The warships were spotted just this round and should be under attack tomorrow. Both CVs have ALL their Torps in stock so this could be VERY GOOD!

[John 3rd]

Here is NW Aust. It has been GIVEN to me by Dan. I welcome his Sir Robin here because I could not have taken it without his strong support.

[John 3rd]

Could simply say IBID. for Burma as well. I would still be at Moulmein if Dan hadn't FLED Burma. Currently there are 3 TK Reg, 2 Brigades, and 1 Inf Reg in Theatre. We want Katha and will then wait for reinforcements before driving on Myitkyina.