With my game against Spence now in late 1942, the debt crisis ravaging Europe, taxes on the rise, summer upon us and me getting old, I thought it would be a good idea to begin a second game as the Allies. RichardIII, who may visit now, but will soon be respectfully asked to leave this thread, and only be back when I stand victorious in the ruins of Tokyo or the other way around, promptly answered the call, and we are now getting ready for the big adventure.
This will be stock scenario 2, played with the current beta version (1123n), one day turn, with PDU on, realistic R&D, fixed replacements and advanced weather off. Home rules have been kept to a minimum: no 4E naval attacks below 10k, no fighters over 30k, and full PP for borders. I am allowed to change the orders of existing task forces and Chinese units before we begin, but that is all I can do on the eve of the day that will live in infamy.
I have no experience at all with the Allied side of the game, green as grass, wet behind the ears, everything. And, as your typical JFB, I enjoy a good spanking on the occasion, and love to learn from my bruises.
So, dear reader, sit back and enjoy this story of an allied virgin…
One word of notice before we start: I have two AAR, one as Japan against Spence, and this one as the Allies against Richard III. Spence is welcome on this AAR, Richard III is welcome on the other one, so please refrain from commenting about one on the other.
Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
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Cap Mandrake
- Posts: 20737
- Joined: Fri Nov 15, 2002 8:37 am
- Location: Southern California
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Brilliant title! Early 1942 for the Allies is a lot like getting ******* (I imagine).
I had to Google the expression, thinking at first if might be something they tell you in the dental chair before the NO2.
I had to Google the expression, thinking at first if might be something they tell you in the dental chair before the NO2.
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Great! Have fun Francois!
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
ORIGINAL: Cap Mandrake
Early 1942 for the Allies is a lot like getting ******* (I imagine).
I don’t know either. This is my first time playing the Allies.
The first turn was the easiest to play. As I was supposed to be surprised, I didn’t issue any order, except setting all industry to “no repair” (I have no supplies to waste in China), and ordering CL Danae to merge with Force Z, and send the lot to Muntok.
Why Muntok, you might ask, and interestingly, a fulminating admiral Philips asked that very question to Lieutenant General Percival, down at the Raffles yesterday night. Our reporters were on the scene.
- With all due respect, sir, Muntok is a strange destination for Force Z
- Admiral, Muntok is the home town of Miss Lee, my new secretary (points to a young lady, whose long manicured fingernails are probably impractical for typing, but whose fleshy… well you get the picture), and she tells me the locals would be delighted to feel that the Royal Navy takes care of them.
- But sir, I respectfully insist that Singora …
- Singora is too far away north, admiral, in range of Japanese bombers, in fact. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend that local ceremony they call a "sarong party". Dismissed, Admiral.
(exeunt)
History is a bitch, dear reader, you save an admiral’s life, yet he complains about it. What next, paint Percival as the incompetent lieutenant general who lost Singapore?
That fateful morning (December 7th 1941)
Guess who visited this morning
I don’t have the turn yet, but judging by the strike package, KB was one carrier short.
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 53
B5N2 Kate x 117
D3A1 Val x 101
The missing flattop must be Kaga, the slowest of the lot, which is probably bound to the Philippines or the South China Sea. I didn’t see her today, which is only fair and historical, but I’m expecting a visit tomorrow. Interestingly, if Kaga went to the South China sea by warp force express, KB oilers had to move the slow way from Eterofu, which means KB will not be able to run wild in the Marshalls or around Australia this time.
In Hawaii, none of my planes flew, but the flak was naughty
Allied aircraft
no flights
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 7 damaged
A6M2 Zero: 7 destroyed by flak
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 3 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 15 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak
Tracker says 11 Zeroes, 7 Kates and 5 Vals.
The airfield/city attack was pretty good.
Allied aircraft losses
PBY-5 Catalina: 157 damaged
PBY-5 Catalina: 10 destroyed on ground
B-17E Fortress: 9 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 32 damaged
B-18A Bolo: 4 destroyed on ground
SBD-1 Dauntless: 18 damaged
SBD-1 Dauntless: 3 destroyed on ground
A-20A Havoc: 26 damaged
A-20A Havoc: 3 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 86 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
F4F-3 Wildcat: 19 damaged
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed on ground
R3D-2: 1 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 58 damaged
B-17D Fortress: 1 destroyed on ground
O-47A: 13 damaged
O-47A: 1 destroyed on ground
P-36A Mohawk: 41 damaged
P-36A Mohawk: 2 destroyed on ground
C-33: 5 damaged
Repair Shipyard hits 4
Airbase hits 46
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 98
Port hits 11
Port fuel hits 1
Tracker says 60 planes lost on the ground, 65 runway and 45 airbase damage. This will probably be felt tomorrow if my opponent chooses to stay.
But I believe the port and ship attack did disappoint
Allied Ships
BB California, Bomb hits 6, Torpedo hits 3, on fire
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
BB Oklahoma, Bomb hits 2
BB Pennsylvania, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 1
CM Oglala
BB Arizona, Bomb hits 5, on fire
CL Helena, Bomb hits 2
BB West Virginia, Bomb hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
DD Tucker, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA New Orleans, Torpedo hits 1
CL St. Louis, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Maryland, Bomb hits 1
Nothing was sunk, of the battleships, Nevada is hit worst, now at 26/76/4, California is 31/28/1, Pennsylvania is 4/38/1, and Tennessee 2/27/24. The rest in the low 10s. Cruisers St Louis, Helena and New Orleans were lightly damaged. No ship is on fire.
What now? If I were Japan, given the low damage inflicted on battleship row, I would probably stay another day. Yet, most of my battleships are sea worthy, half of them can fight, and my destroyers and cruisers are at full strength, and so the temptation to send them KB hunting is great. I will lose ships in the process, but the opportunity to defang KB is too good to pass.
The main problem with this approach is the lack of air cover. The airfield in Pearl Harbor is trashed, and only a third of my planes are fit. I have about 70 fighters, 8 dive bombers, and a dozen level bombers. I could transfer the Lexington bomber squadrons to either Pearl or Lahaina (which is undamaged), but I am stuck with my 70 obsolescent fighters to protect all my ships and ports against the KB.
Another solution would be to flee: take all the ships that will float, and sail everyone south. KB is now three hexes north of Pearl, and will be either north east or north-west tomorrow, sailing south will probably put most of my ships out of harm’s way, not a glorious move, but then…
Alas, poor penguin
The rest of the turn was fairly typical. Makin and Bataan Island were captured. The IJA landed in Kota Baru. Swordfishes and Hudsons from Malaya tried to attack enemy surface forces around Kota, without success. The airfields in Alor Star, Clark Field, and Hong Kong were attacked, and a few old planes were destroyed while the enemy lost a handful of Nates. Cagayan was visited by a bombardment task force.
In Guam, AM Penguin was the only ship lost today, to a Betty raid from Saipan.
On my plate
I am now confronted with those huge early game orders. I don’t want to take care of everything at once. Many tasks, like organizing convoys, training pilots, building bases, and deciding replacement strategies can wait a few days, or weeks.
Today, apart from putting fighters on CAP, defending Pearl and getting ready in Malaya, I intend to take care of three things.
Concentrate my surface forces in the DEI and South Pacific into task groups that can raid enemy invasion forces.
Deploy all the submarines I can find. I intend to use them as a defensive force during the early days of the war, to try and sink or damage invasion forces.
Try to save some of the shipping that begins the game in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Oh, and I’ll probably do something about China too.
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SqzMyLemon
- Posts: 4239
- Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:18 pm
- Location: Alberta, Canada
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Hi Francois,
I wish I could have tendered a request to be your opponent, not assuming you would have accepted of course, but my plate was full. To echo Pax's comment in the Opponent's Wanted forum, it would have been a privilege to share a game with you. If your first experience with the Allies is anything like mine, you could be in for a very fun but painful 1942. Good luck and enjoy your matchup. I look forward to following your AAR as always.
I wish I could have tendered a request to be your opponent, not assuming you would have accepted of course, but my plate was full. To echo Pax's comment in the Opponent's Wanted forum, it would have been a privilege to share a game with you. If your first experience with the Allies is anything like mine, you could be in for a very fun but painful 1942. Good luck and enjoy your matchup. I look forward to following your AAR as always.
Luck is the residue of design - John Milton
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
Don't mistake lack of talent for genius - Peter Steele (Type O Negative)
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
China: you know what to do here: pull WAY back and get your forts building in 3x terrain. Your sole goal here should be to not lose the Chungking valley before you retake Burma. Accomplish this and you will be moving into Shanghai in early '44. And that is a disaster for IJ.
Pax
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Yes, the strategy in China is clear for the allies: defend in the rough terrain hexes (better if WR) and use masses of men to stop the superior quality japanese units.
Unluckly this isn't a SL game (right?), so you won't see many manouvring armies and you won't be able to use the SL to your favour... but a wise chinese player should be able to hold...at least for a while. Just get out of the northern plains ASAP! but you already know that[;)]
Unluckly this isn't a SL game (right?), so you won't see many manouvring armies and you won't be able to use the SL to your favour... but a wise chinese player should be able to hold...at least for a while. Just get out of the northern plains ASAP! but you already know that[;)]
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
What say you? It is useless? Ay, I know
But who fights ever hoping for success?
I fought for lost cause, and for fruitless quest!
(Edmond Rostand)
Living in infamy (December 8th 1941)
The better part of valor
After the unprovoked, and somewhat unsuccessful, Japanese raid yesterday, the Allied High Command in Hawaii, considering that the damage wrought on our air base was too heavy to confront a second day of attack, implemented codeplan sauve qui peut and ordered all the ships save Nevada , Tennessee and DD Tucker, to sail south at flank speed. This is what you get, dear reader, for putting a French general at the top of the Allied command.
And KB went in for a second day, targeting the port, and found very little. There must be a god for wimps!
Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
B5N2 Kate x 112
Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 26
P-40B Warhawk x 39
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
SNJ-3 Texan x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 11 destroyed, 26 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 6 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 8, on fire
Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Repair Shipyard hits 7
Port hits 8
Nevada and Tennessee are more damaged than yesterday, but still in good condition. Overall, we lost about 25 fighters, and shot down 33 Kates, and about 15 Zeroes. There was no counterstrike, as the dive and torpedo bomber squadrons transferred from the Lexington did not fly.
KB is now 8 hexes north-west of Pearl Harbor. With about 75 planes lost over the last two days, I believe my opponent will retire, but I am still moving my ships east, and not retiring to Pearl until I’m sure KB is gone. Unless something terrible happens tomorrow, I will probably have been dealt one of the nicest PH ever: no ship sunk, and heavy losses to the KB squadrons.
Well, in fact, one ship was sunk : SS Thresher, moving to try and intercept KB, was torpedoed by… a Japanese submarine.
Sub vs Sub: SS I-168 attacking SS Thresher at 180,106 - near Pearl Harbor
Japanese Ships
SS I-168
Allied Ships
SS Thresher, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at 4,000 yards
Procrastinating
On Luzon, the plan was to sweep mines in the straits and keep all the Asiatic Fleet except the submarines in port today. To this effect, all valid fighters were sent to Manila, and put on CAP, and all bombers and patrol aircrafts were sent to Clark, and set on naval attack, to try and disrupt any landings.
This proved efficient against a first wave of bombers, that went in unescorted. I suspect almost none of the 18 Betties returned to base.
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 6
P-40B Warhawk x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 42
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed
No Allied losses
A second wave went in escorted, and it was costly for us, as we lost over 15 Warhawks, but the enemy lost a dozen planes too, and no bomber reached the port.
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
G3M2 Nell x 33
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 36
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed
Naval attacks were inefficient. All enemy task forces were capped by Nates, which successfully dodged the Catalinas, shooting down five. Curiously, no landings took place (there were ships near Appari yesterday, though).
Overall the first day over Luzon was costly, but we did manage to protect the fleet, that will now rush forth. I am sending all ships towards Jesselton, where Boise, Houston and US Destroyers are waiting. Depending on the situation I will try to extricate them along the North or East coast of Borneo.
Most of my other retreating ships were lucky. The cargoes from Hong Kong sailed undetected, as did those ships that begin the war in the Philippine Islands, except two light cargoes (Latouche and Kanlaon II) which chanced upon the IJN destroyers that had bombarded Cagayan yesterday.
In other news
Over Rangoon, we traded punches. I had sent the first squadron of the AVG, and am buying the rest today, as I intend to defend Burma. We shot down a few Sallies and Betties, but lost half a dozen planes to sweeping Zeroes. All cargoes managed to flee.
The only invasion happening today was Guam, which should fall tomorrow. Finally, Kota Baru fell to a shock attack.
Overall, I am quite happy of this turn. Air losses are 88 Japan for 51 Allies, and I have lost five ships so far: AM Penguin, xAKL Kanlaon II and Latouche, SS Thresher, and one MTB from Hong Kong, which stupidly decided to recon the Canton minefield…
The turn has been sent, and my opponent just sent me the replay, with the words “Brave RN…!”, I’m afraid my HK destroyers have met their fate.
But who fights ever hoping for success?
I fought for lost cause, and for fruitless quest!
(Edmond Rostand)
Living in infamy (December 8th 1941)
The better part of valor
After the unprovoked, and somewhat unsuccessful, Japanese raid yesterday, the Allied High Command in Hawaii, considering that the damage wrought on our air base was too heavy to confront a second day of attack, implemented codeplan sauve qui peut and ordered all the ships save Nevada , Tennessee and DD Tucker, to sail south at flank speed. This is what you get, dear reader, for putting a French general at the top of the Allied command.
And KB went in for a second day, targeting the port, and found very little. There must be a god for wimps!
Morning Air attack on Pearl Harbor , at 180,107
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
B5N2 Kate x 112
Allied aircraft
P-36A Mohawk x 26
P-40B Warhawk x 39
F4F-3 Wildcat x 3
SNJ-3 Texan x 1
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 11 destroyed, 26 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
Allied aircraft losses
P-36A Mohawk: 6 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed
Allied Ships
BB Nevada, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
BB Tennessee, Bomb hits 8, on fire
Allied ground losses:
5 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Repair Shipyard hits 7
Port hits 8
Nevada and Tennessee are more damaged than yesterday, but still in good condition. Overall, we lost about 25 fighters, and shot down 33 Kates, and about 15 Zeroes. There was no counterstrike, as the dive and torpedo bomber squadrons transferred from the Lexington did not fly.
KB is now 8 hexes north-west of Pearl Harbor. With about 75 planes lost over the last two days, I believe my opponent will retire, but I am still moving my ships east, and not retiring to Pearl until I’m sure KB is gone. Unless something terrible happens tomorrow, I will probably have been dealt one of the nicest PH ever: no ship sunk, and heavy losses to the KB squadrons.
Well, in fact, one ship was sunk : SS Thresher, moving to try and intercept KB, was torpedoed by… a Japanese submarine.
Sub vs Sub: SS I-168 attacking SS Thresher at 180,106 - near Pearl Harbor
Japanese Ships
SS I-168
Allied Ships
SS Thresher, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
SS I-168 launches 4 torpedoes at 4,000 yards
Procrastinating
On Luzon, the plan was to sweep mines in the straits and keep all the Asiatic Fleet except the submarines in port today. To this effect, all valid fighters were sent to Manila, and put on CAP, and all bombers and patrol aircrafts were sent to Clark, and set on naval attack, to try and disrupt any landings.
This proved efficient against a first wave of bombers, that went in unescorted. I suspect almost none of the 18 Betties returned to base.
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 18
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 6
P-40B Warhawk x 5
P-40E Warhawk x 42
Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 12 destroyed
No Allied losses
A second wave went in escorted, and it was costly for us, as we lost over 15 Warhawks, but the enemy lost a dozen planes too, and no bomber reached the port.
Morning Air attack on Manila , at 79,77
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 61
G3M2 Nell x 33
Allied aircraft
P-26A x 3
P-35A x 4
P-40B Warhawk x 4
P-40E Warhawk x 36
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 4 destroyed
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 2 damaged
Allied aircraft losses
P-26A: 1 destroyed
P-40B Warhawk: 1 destroyed
P-40E Warhawk: 9 destroyed
Naval attacks were inefficient. All enemy task forces were capped by Nates, which successfully dodged the Catalinas, shooting down five. Curiously, no landings took place (there were ships near Appari yesterday, though).
Overall the first day over Luzon was costly, but we did manage to protect the fleet, that will now rush forth. I am sending all ships towards Jesselton, where Boise, Houston and US Destroyers are waiting. Depending on the situation I will try to extricate them along the North or East coast of Borneo.
Most of my other retreating ships were lucky. The cargoes from Hong Kong sailed undetected, as did those ships that begin the war in the Philippine Islands, except two light cargoes (Latouche and Kanlaon II) which chanced upon the IJN destroyers that had bombarded Cagayan yesterday.
In other news
Over Rangoon, we traded punches. I had sent the first squadron of the AVG, and am buying the rest today, as I intend to defend Burma. We shot down a few Sallies and Betties, but lost half a dozen planes to sweeping Zeroes. All cargoes managed to flee.
The only invasion happening today was Guam, which should fall tomorrow. Finally, Kota Baru fell to a shock attack.
Overall, I am quite happy of this turn. Air losses are 88 Japan for 51 Allies, and I have lost five ships so far: AM Penguin, xAKL Kanlaon II and Latouche, SS Thresher, and one MTB from Hong Kong, which stupidly decided to recon the Canton minefield…
The turn has been sent, and my opponent just sent me the replay, with the words “Brave RN…!”, I’m afraid my HK destroyers have met their fate.
RE: Dutch Treat (or retreat)
What do you do with the Dutch during the Japanese expansion? Do you concentrate them in Sumatra or Java or do you leave them at their basic starting locations? Do you have an overall Strategy for the Dutch?
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DuckofTindalos
- Posts: 39781
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:53 pm
- Location: Denmark
Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
It's not nice to change the subject line in other peoples' AARs...
We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
I didn't think I was changing the subject, he was detailing his opening moves and I was curious about what he was planning in the DEI.
I am sorry if this question was out of order. I posted the same question in the War Room for general input.
I am sorry if this question was out of order. I posted the same question in the War Room for general input.
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
ORIGINAL: desicat
I didn't think I was changing the subject, he was detailing his opening moves and I was curious about what he was planning in the DEI.
I am sorry if this question was out of order. I posted the same question in the War Room for general input.
The question is not out of order. Like me, you thought that changing the subject line was only visible at the top of the post you made. But it actually changes the subject in the AAR title on the page that lists all of the AARs. Sometimes this can give the opponent a clue into what is happening in the other guy's AAR.
I find it strange that there is no programming to stop casual readers from changing an AAR title subject line. Only the AAR author(s) should be able to do that.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Aftermath (December 9th 1941)
Remember Thresher, and other Hawaiian stories
After two days that could have been better, Kido Butai left Hawaii, and was seen near the French Frigate shoals today. All the ships dispatched south are sailing back to port, where we’ll sort the cripples, and send the rest to the South Pacific. Four US battleships are fit for action, the four others will need a few of months in the yard.
The only remaining threat around Hawaii comes from submarines. I am assigning Bolo squadrons to ASW duties and will commit my destroyers to it. Today, SS Tautog had a lucky shot on I-2.
Sub vs Sub: SS Tautog attacking SS I-2 at 178,107 - near Lihue
Japanese Ships
SS I-2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
I-2 is probably done with. That’s two sub on sub attacks in two days.
Tattered tincans
The Hong Kong destroyers, Scout, Thanet and Thracian were sent on a dangerous mission between Formosa and Luzon: find and sink loaded transports. They found the escort instead, and that was too bad.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Vigan at 80,73, Range 15,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Scout, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Thanet, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Thracian, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
Scout sank later that day, Thanet will probably make it back to Manila.
Meanwhile, the US destroyers found the missing Kaga off Borneo, John D. Ford was sunk, Pope, Peary and Pillsbury are fine. The mini KB was also found on the south-eastern corner of Mindanao. Kates attacked Houston and Boise, for little effect.
Together with a tanker torpedoed near Muntok, those three destroyers were all my losses today. A Japanese transport was torpedoed and sunk in return.
Boots on the ground
The Japanese landed in Appari, and will probably be in Vigan and Davao tomorrow. There are no signs of enemy ships near Borneo, or around the Celebes. I believe my opponent is going for a slow and methodical approach.
Two SNLF units also landed in Pakhoi. The KMT garrison resisted, but in clear terrain and without forts, it will probably be a short affair. On the road to Lang son, my troops resisted a first shock attack.
Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 3446 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 114
Defending force 8071 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 158
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps
Air losses today were harsher on us, as Zeroes finally came in and swept Manila, Clark and Rangoon. We lost 36 planes to 21 enemies.
Strategic thoughts
I begin the war without a clear plan for the Allies, first because I think it makes little sense to plan before understanding what my opponent is up to, second because I think it is fun to start the game just reacting.
In the Pacific, the bad result of the strikes on Pearl Harbor opens a lot of possibilities, but I am not sure I want to exploit them. I would prefer my opponent to extend, overextend if possible, and strike at his long supply lines in late 42. Call it a Sir Robin if you like.
On the other hand, I want to defend China, and believe the best way to do this is to fight in Burma, and reinforce India as early as I can. I do understand Burma won’t hold against a determined Japanese assault, but a half-hearted attempt might be resisted, and the Burma road kept open for a while. If this cannot be done, I want to be in a position to counterattack very early.
This sort of determines my strategy for the DEI. My objective there is to force my opponent to commit troops, and buy time to defend Burma. A first action is to stage a forward defense in Malaysia (ie not retreat everybody to Singapore), and try to delay enemy advance. Then I want to build as many roadblocks as I can on Sumatra and Java.
China, as those who read my other AAR will sure have guessed, is the most developed part of my plan. I am evacuating the northern plains, of course, but I believe there is more to do there than just run for the mountains and try to hold the line. My strategy rests upon three observations. First, the KMT begins the game with a lot of disabled troops that will repair at no cost. If I can just delay the initial Japanese offensives by a few weeks, my opponent will find much stronger units before him. Morale also goes up relatively fast in the beginning of the game.
Second, 350 infantry squads per month is not small replacement rate. I want to rotate a few units into supply-savvy areas (Chungking certainly, Changsha and Lanchow perhaps) and let them build into very large forces. If my front line units buy enough time to rebuild a few corps, I believe I stand a good chance of holding the heartlands.
Finally, I have lots of units, and there is no point using all of them to hold the line. More specifically, I have a lot of small units that begin the game in forward position. I don’t think it makes sense to retreat them, as they won’t make a difference, and I know from experience that they won’t hold against Japanese troops. My objective is to split them into small fragments, and send them on the roads, to try and disrupt Japanese supply flow.
So, there you have a three tiered strategy for China: a large reserve kept in the back, using all the replacements and supplies (which I want to try to keep open from Burma for as long as I can), first line units holding an approximate defensive line, and trying to slow enemy advance, so that the reserve can rebuild, and, finally, lots of small groups meant to complicated Japanese movement and supply flow.
Remember Thresher, and other Hawaiian stories
After two days that could have been better, Kido Butai left Hawaii, and was seen near the French Frigate shoals today. All the ships dispatched south are sailing back to port, where we’ll sort the cripples, and send the rest to the South Pacific. Four US battleships are fit for action, the four others will need a few of months in the yard.
The only remaining threat around Hawaii comes from submarines. I am assigning Bolo squadrons to ASW duties and will commit my destroyers to it. Today, SS Tautog had a lucky shot on I-2.
Sub vs Sub: SS Tautog attacking SS I-2 at 178,107 - near Lihue
Japanese Ships
SS I-2, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
I-2 is probably done with. That’s two sub on sub attacks in two days.
Tattered tincans
The Hong Kong destroyers, Scout, Thanet and Thracian were sent on a dangerous mission between Formosa and Luzon: find and sink loaded transports. They found the escort instead, and that was too bad.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Vigan at 80,73, Range 15,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo, Shell hits 1
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame, Shell hits 3, on fire
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare, Shell hits 1, on fire
Allied Ships
DD Scout, Shell hits 8, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Thanet, Shell hits 6, heavy fires
DD Thracian, Shell hits 21, and is sunk
Scout sank later that day, Thanet will probably make it back to Manila.
Meanwhile, the US destroyers found the missing Kaga off Borneo, John D. Ford was sunk, Pope, Peary and Pillsbury are fine. The mini KB was also found on the south-eastern corner of Mindanao. Kates attacked Houston and Boise, for little effect.
Together with a tanker torpedoed near Muntok, those three destroyers were all my losses today. A Japanese transport was torpedoed and sunk in return.
Boots on the ground
The Japanese landed in Appari, and will probably be in Vigan and Davao tomorrow. There are no signs of enemy ships near Borneo, or around the Celebes. I believe my opponent is going for a slow and methodical approach.
Two SNLF units also landed in Pakhoi. The KMT garrison resisted, but in clear terrain and without forts, it will probably be a short affair. On the road to Lang son, my troops resisted a first shock attack.
Ground combat at 71,56 (near Lang Son)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 3446 troops, 32 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 114
Defending force 8071 troops, 33 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 158
Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 27 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Allied ground losses:
160 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 9 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Assaulting units:
4th Ind.Mixed Regiment
Defending units:
52nd Chinese Corps
Air losses today were harsher on us, as Zeroes finally came in and swept Manila, Clark and Rangoon. We lost 36 planes to 21 enemies.
Strategic thoughts
I begin the war without a clear plan for the Allies, first because I think it makes little sense to plan before understanding what my opponent is up to, second because I think it is fun to start the game just reacting.
In the Pacific, the bad result of the strikes on Pearl Harbor opens a lot of possibilities, but I am not sure I want to exploit them. I would prefer my opponent to extend, overextend if possible, and strike at his long supply lines in late 42. Call it a Sir Robin if you like.
On the other hand, I want to defend China, and believe the best way to do this is to fight in Burma, and reinforce India as early as I can. I do understand Burma won’t hold against a determined Japanese assault, but a half-hearted attempt might be resisted, and the Burma road kept open for a while. If this cannot be done, I want to be in a position to counterattack very early.
This sort of determines my strategy for the DEI. My objective there is to force my opponent to commit troops, and buy time to defend Burma. A first action is to stage a forward defense in Malaysia (ie not retreat everybody to Singapore), and try to delay enemy advance. Then I want to build as many roadblocks as I can on Sumatra and Java.
China, as those who read my other AAR will sure have guessed, is the most developed part of my plan. I am evacuating the northern plains, of course, but I believe there is more to do there than just run for the mountains and try to hold the line. My strategy rests upon three observations. First, the KMT begins the game with a lot of disabled troops that will repair at no cost. If I can just delay the initial Japanese offensives by a few weeks, my opponent will find much stronger units before him. Morale also goes up relatively fast in the beginning of the game.
Second, 350 infantry squads per month is not small replacement rate. I want to rotate a few units into supply-savvy areas (Chungking certainly, Changsha and Lanchow perhaps) and let them build into very large forces. If my front line units buy enough time to rebuild a few corps, I believe I stand a good chance of holding the heartlands.
Finally, I have lots of units, and there is no point using all of them to hold the line. More specifically, I have a lot of small units that begin the game in forward position. I don’t think it makes sense to retreat them, as they won’t make a difference, and I know from experience that they won’t hold against Japanese troops. My objective is to split them into small fragments, and send them on the roads, to try and disrupt Japanese supply flow.
So, there you have a three tiered strategy for China: a large reserve kept in the back, using all the replacements and supplies (which I want to try to keep open from Burma for as long as I can), first line units holding an approximate defensive line, and trying to slow enemy advance, so that the reserve can rebuild, and, finally, lots of small groups meant to complicated Japanese movement and supply flow.
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
You said you haven't made a plan yet, but you have enunciated a good part of one already. Early concentration on Burma/India, roadblocks in Malaya/DEI, and the three-tier operations in China.
I like your ideas but fear there may be one big problem in the approach - supply. Disabled squads do not heal if there is no supply. Your Chinese troops will not begin to heal disruption an fatigue nor fill out their ranks until they get a decent amount of supply. Chungking and Changsha and other Chinese cities do not produce enough to provide food and bullets, let alone medical supplies and new boots.
Over in Malaya, the roadblocks suffer the same problem - too little supply from Singapore, lots of fatigue and disablement from malaria, and poor morale. Until they get to a source of supply and support troops they will continue to get weaker without any combat. That is why most players now pull them back to Singapore/Johore Bharu.
Regardless of where your future plans go [once you know what your opponent is doing], you need to push forward fuel and supply to help the defenders of Australia, Samoa, New Zealand, DEI, the Aleutians, and any islands within 25 hexes [Mavis range] of PH. Both Canoerebel and Nemo have shown that establishing a strong logistic base in every area is a force multiplier once the shooting starts. If you can keep fighting longer than your opponent in the same area, he will yield the field to you.
Bonne Chance! [:)]
I like your ideas but fear there may be one big problem in the approach - supply. Disabled squads do not heal if there is no supply. Your Chinese troops will not begin to heal disruption an fatigue nor fill out their ranks until they get a decent amount of supply. Chungking and Changsha and other Chinese cities do not produce enough to provide food and bullets, let alone medical supplies and new boots.
Over in Malaya, the roadblocks suffer the same problem - too little supply from Singapore, lots of fatigue and disablement from malaria, and poor morale. Until they get to a source of supply and support troops they will continue to get weaker without any combat. That is why most players now pull them back to Singapore/Johore Bharu.
Regardless of where your future plans go [once you know what your opponent is doing], you need to push forward fuel and supply to help the defenders of Australia, Samoa, New Zealand, DEI, the Aleutians, and any islands within 25 hexes [Mavis range] of PH. Both Canoerebel and Nemo have shown that establishing a strong logistic base in every area is a force multiplier once the shooting starts. If you can keep fighting longer than your opponent in the same area, he will yield the field to you.
Bonne Chance! [:)]
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Hi BBFanboy,
Thanks a lot for your comments, as a Japan only player, I always had assumed that logistical nightmare were a JFB thing, and that, apart from China where everything was lacking, the allies swam in fuel and supplies all war long. I am now realizing that supplies is a problem for the allies too, and that China is not as bad as I thought, supply wise, so long you don’t fight useless battles at the beginning of the war, or repair the industry. I am with you about Malaysia, and will try to retreat. For the rest, I think I will wait a week before I begin thinking about supplies, convoys, and all those JFB things.
Waiting for the barbarians (December 10th 1941)
This was a relatively quiet turn. KB is now halfway between Hawaii and Wake, and the fleet is slowly sailing back to port. Lexington just took the fighter squadron from Wake, and is now sailing east. She managed to sink a Japanese cargo off Eniwetok.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok at 127,109
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13
Japanese Ships
xAK Tatuharu Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
I’m not too happy about it, as I’d rather keep my carriers hidden, but then.
The rest of the Pacific is quiet. I will take care of it once the Japanese have landed.
Prudent Philippines
Today, my opponent landed in Davao, under air cover from mini-KB. On Luzon, Appari was captured and troops landed in Vigan, but there was no landing in the south, between Mauban and Legaspi. A large task force was detected a few hundred miles east of Luzon, and Houston and Boise were dispatched to meet her, while three US destroyers lurk around Legaspi. In the air, Japanese fighters swept Manila and Clark Field, and minced my fighters in very small bits.
The ships evacuated from the Philippines seem to have been lucky, so far. Today, three cargoes stumbled on Kates from mini KB, near Zamboanga
Morning Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 75,86
Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 10
Allied Ships
xAKL Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAKL Bisayas, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
And then, near Balabac, three more met Kaga.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balabac at 69,82
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
D3A1 Val x 22
Allied Ships
xAK Ming Sang, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hai Lee, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Bennevis, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
This is of course sad for those fine ships, but it seems that most of the Asiatic Fleet will manage to escape, as mini KB is probably now sailing north to support the Legaspi/Atimonian invasion, and Kaga should remain north of Borneo.
There still were no landings in northern Borneo, despite Kaga being there to cover. One task force was detected north of Brunei, and is probably going either there or to Miri, but all this seems to confirm my opponent belongs to the prudent and methodical variety.
In Malaya, nothing happened. Our stringbags got lucky, twice…
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Patani at 51,73
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 8
Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 52,76
Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 5
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hatsuyuki
Lost ground
Tarawa was captured today, Kavieng was invaded and will fall tomorrow. The USN base force in Guam held against one shock attack. The Japanese have come in a bit light.
In China, Pakhoi was captured. The Chinese corps defending it went from 169 nominal AV, to 14 adjusted. I am pretty sure post war propaganda will make it a great strategic victory for the Chinese, but it didn’t seem so in the field today.
That’s pretty much all for today, I’m afraid. Air losses were 19 Japanese vs 28 Allied, we lost five ships to two Japanese, for a grand total of fourteen Allied ships sunk, to four Japanese. Life is good, so far.
Thanks a lot for your comments, as a Japan only player, I always had assumed that logistical nightmare were a JFB thing, and that, apart from China where everything was lacking, the allies swam in fuel and supplies all war long. I am now realizing that supplies is a problem for the allies too, and that China is not as bad as I thought, supply wise, so long you don’t fight useless battles at the beginning of the war, or repair the industry. I am with you about Malaysia, and will try to retreat. For the rest, I think I will wait a week before I begin thinking about supplies, convoys, and all those JFB things.
Waiting for the barbarians (December 10th 1941)
This was a relatively quiet turn. KB is now halfway between Hawaii and Wake, and the fleet is slowly sailing back to port. Lexington just took the fighter squadron from Wake, and is now sailing east. She managed to sink a Japanese cargo off Eniwetok.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Eniwetok at 127,109
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 8
SBD-3 Dauntless x 13
Japanese Ships
xAK Tatuharu Maru, Bomb hits 10, and is sunk
I’m not too happy about it, as I’d rather keep my carriers hidden, but then.
The rest of the Pacific is quiet. I will take care of it once the Japanese have landed.
Prudent Philippines
Today, my opponent landed in Davao, under air cover from mini-KB. On Luzon, Appari was captured and troops landed in Vigan, but there was no landing in the south, between Mauban and Legaspi. A large task force was detected a few hundred miles east of Luzon, and Houston and Boise were dispatched to meet her, while three US destroyers lurk around Legaspi. In the air, Japanese fighters swept Manila and Clark Field, and minced my fighters in very small bits.
The ships evacuated from the Philippines seem to have been lucky, so far. Today, three cargoes stumbled on Kates from mini KB, near Zamboanga
Morning Air attack on TF, near Zamboanga at 75,86
Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 10
Allied Ships
xAKL Princess of Negros, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAKL Bisayas, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAKL Compagnia Filipinas, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
And then, near Balabac, three more met Kaga.
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Balabac at 69,82
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 12
D3A1 Val x 22
Allied Ships
xAK Ming Sang, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hai Lee, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Bennevis, Bomb hits 8, and is sunk
This is of course sad for those fine ships, but it seems that most of the Asiatic Fleet will manage to escape, as mini KB is probably now sailing north to support the Legaspi/Atimonian invasion, and Kaga should remain north of Borneo.
There still were no landings in northern Borneo, despite Kaga being there to cover. One task force was detected north of Brunei, and is probably going either there or to Miri, but all this seems to confirm my opponent belongs to the prudent and methodical variety.
In Malaya, nothing happened. Our stringbags got lucky, twice…
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Patani at 51,73
Japanese aircraft
Ki-27b Nate x 8
Allied aircraft
Catalina I x 2
No Japanese losses
No Allied losses
Japanese Ships
CA Suzuya, Bomb hits 2, on fire
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kota Bharu at 52,76
Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 5
Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 damaged
Swordfish I: 1 destroyed by flak
Japanese Ships
DD Usugumo, Bomb hits 1, on fire
DD Hatsuyuki
Lost ground
Tarawa was captured today, Kavieng was invaded and will fall tomorrow. The USN base force in Guam held against one shock attack. The Japanese have come in a bit light.
In China, Pakhoi was captured. The Chinese corps defending it went from 169 nominal AV, to 14 adjusted. I am pretty sure post war propaganda will make it a great strategic victory for the Chinese, but it didn’t seem so in the field today.
That’s pretty much all for today, I’m afraid. Air losses were 19 Japanese vs 28 Allied, we lost five ships to two Japanese, for a grand total of fourteen Allied ships sunk, to four Japanese. Life is good, so far.
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Down with the subs (December 11th 1941)
Today, the Japanese landed in Miri, took Davao and Kavieng, and Guam held against a second shock attack, but that’s beside the point…
Dear diary, today, we had a very bad day at the hand of Japanese submarines
This morning, in Hawaii, the fleet returned to port, unscathed. And there was a lot of rejoicing, and carousing, and nurse kissing, and, well, you’ve seen it all in the movies. And no one apparently noticed one battleship was missing (yeah, you’ve read that in Irving, too).
During the night, off Lahaina, BB Pennsylvania had been torpedoed.
ASW attack near Lahaina at 183,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-21
Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AD Dobbin
xAP St. Mihel
AVP Avocet
And again
Submarine attack near Lahaina at 183,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-21
Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
And another time
Sub attack near Lahaina at 183,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-21
Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
And then she was lost with all hands.
She was not, unfortunately, the only battleship torpedoed today
Sub attack near Pontianak at 54,89
Japanese Ships
SS I-155
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1
CL Dragon
DD Vampire
DD Express
DD Electra
And then
Sub attack near Singkawang at 56,87
Japanese Ships
SS I-156, hits 5
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Durban
DD Tenedos
DD Express
DD Electra
Repulse is now 25/72/37, she might make it to Singapore, unless she meets some bad guy on the way.
A very bad day at the hand of Japanese submarines, as I said.
Helping hand
In Vigan, our PT boat tried to disrupt the landings, the cover force intervened, but …
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vigan at 80,73, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
Allied Ships
PT-35
PT-41
PT Q-111, Shell hits 1
PT Q-112
PT Q-113
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 8,000 yards
DD Yudachi collides with DD Murasame at 80 , 73
Murasame is reported sunk.
The skies of Burma
Most of the air battles happened over Rangoon today. We lost five AVG planes, and as many Buffaloes, but the enemy lost a few Zeroes, too. And then, he flew his Betties, unescorted. Losses today are 25 to 25, which suits me fine. Rangoon now has a lot of air support, all the AVG and a few more squadrons are based there. I think we can try to defend Burma (and protect the convoys that should arrive son).
China, surrenders, and the new beta
One feature of the new beta is the increased frequency of surrenders. In stock, a small unit defeated by a large one would usually retreat, and the victor would engage in a long chase, over bad terrain, or leave fragments everywhere behind the bases he conquered.
This is not the case anymore. Today, the defenders of Kavieng and Davao surrendered, despite having supplies and a good road connecting them to the back.
In China, the division left in Kweiteh surrendered:
Ground combat at Kweiteh (90,46)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 7770 troops, 69 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 279
Defending force 401 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Japanese assault odds: 127 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiteh !!!
Allied ground losses:
593 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
32nd/A Division
32nd/B Division
Defending units:
69th Chinese/C Corps
But this cuts both ways, and in Pucheng (north, mapwise, of Wenchow), japanese paras had a bad day.
Ground combat at Pucheng (86,57)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 279 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Defending force 17118 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 629
Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out
Japanese ground losses:
249 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
32nd Group Army
Why send paras there, you might ask. I don’t know either, cutting off Wenchow, probably.
In Hong Kong, a first shock attack achieved 2:1 odds and reduced the forts to level one. The fragrant harbor will fall tomorrow.
Today, the Japanese landed in Miri, took Davao and Kavieng, and Guam held against a second shock attack, but that’s beside the point…
Dear diary, today, we had a very bad day at the hand of Japanese submarines
This morning, in Hawaii, the fleet returned to port, unscathed. And there was a lot of rejoicing, and carousing, and nurse kissing, and, well, you’ve seen it all in the movies. And no one apparently noticed one battleship was missing (yeah, you’ve read that in Irving, too).
During the night, off Lahaina, BB Pennsylvania had been torpedoed.
ASW attack near Lahaina at 183,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-21
Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage
AD Dobbin
xAP St. Mihel
AVP Avocet
And again
Submarine attack near Lahaina at 183,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-21
Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
And another time
Sub attack near Lahaina at 183,109
Japanese Ships
SS I-21
Allied Ships
BB Pennsylvania, Torpedo hits 2, heavy damage
And then she was lost with all hands.
She was not, unfortunately, the only battleship torpedoed today
Sub attack near Pontianak at 54,89
Japanese Ships
SS I-155
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 1
CL Dragon
DD Vampire
DD Express
DD Electra
And then
Sub attack near Singkawang at 56,87
Japanese Ships
SS I-156, hits 5
Allied Ships
BC Repulse, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CL Durban
DD Tenedos
DD Express
DD Electra
Repulse is now 25/72/37, she might make it to Singapore, unless she meets some bad guy on the way.
A very bad day at the hand of Japanese submarines, as I said.
Helping hand
In Vigan, our PT boat tried to disrupt the landings, the cover force intervened, but …
Night Time Surface Combat, near Vigan at 80,73, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Naka
DD Natsugumo
DD Minegumo
DD Asagumo
DD Murasame
DD Harusame
DD Yudachi
DD Samidare
Allied Ships
PT-35
PT-41
PT Q-111, Shell hits 1
PT Q-112
PT Q-113
Japanese open fire on surprised Allied ships at 8,000 yards
DD Yudachi collides with DD Murasame at 80 , 73
Murasame is reported sunk.
The skies of Burma
Most of the air battles happened over Rangoon today. We lost five AVG planes, and as many Buffaloes, but the enemy lost a few Zeroes, too. And then, he flew his Betties, unescorted. Losses today are 25 to 25, which suits me fine. Rangoon now has a lot of air support, all the AVG and a few more squadrons are based there. I think we can try to defend Burma (and protect the convoys that should arrive son).
China, surrenders, and the new beta
One feature of the new beta is the increased frequency of surrenders. In stock, a small unit defeated by a large one would usually retreat, and the victor would engage in a long chase, over bad terrain, or leave fragments everywhere behind the bases he conquered.
This is not the case anymore. Today, the defenders of Kavieng and Davao surrendered, despite having supplies and a good road connecting them to the back.
In China, the division left in Kweiteh surrendered:
Ground combat at Kweiteh (90,46)
Japanese Deliberate attack
Attacking force 7770 troops, 69 guns, 29 vehicles, Assault Value = 279
Defending force 401 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 16
Japanese assault odds: 127 to 1 (fort level 1)
Japanese forces CAPTURE Kweiteh !!!
Allied ground losses:
593 casualties reported
Squads: 18 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 20 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
32nd/A Division
32nd/B Division
Defending units:
69th Chinese/C Corps
But this cuts both ways, and in Pucheng (north, mapwise, of Wenchow), japanese paras had a bad day.
Ground combat at Pucheng (86,57)
Japanese Shock attack
Attacking force 279 troops, 4 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 22
Defending force 17118 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 629
Assault collapses, attacking force wiped out
Japanese ground losses:
249 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 5 (5 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1
Assaulting units:
Yokosuka 1st SNLF /1
Defending units:
70th Chinese Corps
86th Chinese Corps
32nd Group Army
Why send paras there, you might ask. I don’t know either, cutting off Wenchow, probably.
In Hong Kong, a first shock attack achieved 2:1 odds and reduced the forts to level one. The fragrant harbor will fall tomorrow.
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Morale may affect whether a unit surrenders or not. At the beginning of the game, most Allied units in the front lines [and all over India] have poor morale.
No matter how bad a situation is, you can always make it worse. - Chris Hadfield : An Astronaut's Guide To Life On Earth
RE: Lie back and think of Britain, RichardIII (J) vs fcharton(A)
Take that, you, enemy (December 12th 1941)
Today, Miri and Victoria Point were captures (both garrisons surrendered), and the base force in Guam resisted another shock attack. The Empire is now landing the 144th Infantry Regiment, and Guam will fall, eventually, but a week will have been gained.
A Brooklyn named Boise
You might remember, dear reader, that the day before yesterday, a small task force composed of CA Houston and CL Boise was sent to investigate an enemy naval group detected east of the Philippines. They didn’t find the enemy yesterday, and the enemy reached Atimonian today and was about to land there when they met… Houston and Boise, the evil twins.
It was a large force, three transports, and a dozen cargoes and light cargoes, escorted by two patrol boats, a pair of tincans, and one light cruiser (HEIM Kiso). A night battle ensued, during which the escort fought valiantly to protect the transports. Kiso was sunk in the process, but only one light cruiser was lost.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Atimonan at 80,79, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Shell hits 36, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kamikaze
DD Okikaze
PB Busho Maru
PB Keiko Maru
xAK Kizan Maru
xAKL Kofuku Maru
xAK Konan Maru
xAKL Nanko Maru
xAK Minryo Maru
xAK Shozan Maru
xAKL Turusima Maru
xAKL Tainichi Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Tofuku Maru
xAK Tosei Maru
xAKL Nichiryo Maru
xAKL Fukkai Maru
xAKL Totai Maru
xAKL Bichu Maru
xAKL Ryuto Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru
xAP Horai Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru
Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Boise
Japanese ground losses:
1383 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
There was another battle in the morning, and again the screen played its role, and managed to score a few hits on both cruisers. But the results were harsher on the Japanese.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Polillo at 81,78, Range 19,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Busho Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
PB Keiko Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAK Kizan Maru
xAKL Kofuku Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Konan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Nanko Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Minryo Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shozan Maru
xAKL Turusima Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Tofuku Maru
xAK Tosei Maru
xAKL Nichiryo Maru
xAKL Fukkai Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Totai Maru
xAKL Bichu Maru
xAKL Ryuto Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru
xAP Horai Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru
Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 4
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
1147 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled
The escort is pretty much done for, and several cargoes probably sank at sea. Japanese LCU loss points went up by 26 today, which means over 300 squads and devices lost, most of them during this battle. That’s about a regiment lost. The combat did not go on, as Boise and Houston had used all their ammunition, but the Japanese fleet sailed back, and the invasion of Atimonian will have to wait.
Houston and Boise are now in Iloilo, just between the mini KB (now off Davao) and the Kaga (near Brunei). I will try to rush them to Surabaya tomorrow, rearm them, and send them back to disrupt more invasion.
There go the crown possessions
Hong Kong fell today to a second shock attack. It was no surprise, but still, it is a pretty good result for Japan. Yesterday, while going through my doomed troops, I discovered that I had forgotten a few light cargoes in port.
I ordered them out, into the waiting arms of a Japanese surface group.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Hong Kong at 78,66, Range 23,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CL Yura
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae
Allied Ships
xAKL Chengtu, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Joan Moller, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAKL Kanchow, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
xAKL Soochow, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAKL Yat Shing, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAKL Halldor, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
Like a lady
The carrier hunt season is on. Since the beginning of the war, Saratoga remained safely in port, and Enterprise has been sailing south, toward Fiji, out of enemy reach. The Lexington, on the other hand, was tasked with taking the Wake squadron back, and, with KB on her heels, had to crossed the Japanese Carolines today, near Ponape. She was attacked by land based planes, and got torpedoed.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 118,115
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 15
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Astoria
Fuel storage explosion on CV Lexington
Damage is lighter than it should have been. She is at 25 sys and 25 float, with no damage to her engines. She will probably make it.
Today, Miri and Victoria Point were captures (both garrisons surrendered), and the base force in Guam resisted another shock attack. The Empire is now landing the 144th Infantry Regiment, and Guam will fall, eventually, but a week will have been gained.
A Brooklyn named Boise
You might remember, dear reader, that the day before yesterday, a small task force composed of CA Houston and CL Boise was sent to investigate an enemy naval group detected east of the Philippines. They didn’t find the enemy yesterday, and the enemy reached Atimonian today and was about to land there when they met… Houston and Boise, the evil twins.
It was a large force, three transports, and a dozen cargoes and light cargoes, escorted by two patrol boats, a pair of tincans, and one light cruiser (HEIM Kiso). A night battle ensued, during which the escort fought valiantly to protect the transports. Kiso was sunk in the process, but only one light cruiser was lost.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Atimonan at 80,79, Range 8,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CL Kiso, Shell hits 36, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Kamikaze
DD Okikaze
PB Busho Maru
PB Keiko Maru
xAK Kizan Maru
xAKL Kofuku Maru
xAK Konan Maru
xAKL Nanko Maru
xAK Minryo Maru
xAK Shozan Maru
xAKL Turusima Maru
xAKL Tainichi Maru, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Tofuku Maru
xAK Tosei Maru
xAKL Nichiryo Maru
xAKL Fukkai Maru
xAKL Totai Maru
xAKL Bichu Maru
xAKL Ryuto Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru
xAP Horai Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru
Allied Ships
CA Houston
CL Boise
Japanese ground losses:
1383 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 24 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
There was another battle in the morning, and again the screen played its role, and managed to score a few hits on both cruisers. But the results were harsher on the Japanese.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Polillo at 81,78, Range 19,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
DD Kamikaze, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
DD Okikaze, Shell hits 2, on fire
PB Busho Maru, Shell hits 5, on fire
PB Keiko Maru, Shell hits 24, and is sunk
xAK Kizan Maru
xAKL Kofuku Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAK Konan Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Nanko Maru, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Minryo Maru, Shell hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Shozan Maru
xAKL Turusima Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Tofuku Maru
xAK Tosei Maru
xAKL Nichiryo Maru
xAKL Fukkai Maru, Shell hits 1
xAKL Totai Maru
xAKL Bichu Maru
xAKL Ryuto Maru
xAP Rakuyo Maru
xAP Horai Maru
xAP Takatiho Maru
Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 4
CL Boise, Shell hits 1
Japanese ground losses:
1147 casualties reported
Squads: 11 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 44 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 10 disabled
The escort is pretty much done for, and several cargoes probably sank at sea. Japanese LCU loss points went up by 26 today, which means over 300 squads and devices lost, most of them during this battle. That’s about a regiment lost. The combat did not go on, as Boise and Houston had used all their ammunition, but the Japanese fleet sailed back, and the invasion of Atimonian will have to wait.
Houston and Boise are now in Iloilo, just between the mini KB (now off Davao) and the Kaga (near Brunei). I will try to rush them to Surabaya tomorrow, rearm them, and send them back to disrupt more invasion.
There go the crown possessions
Hong Kong fell today to a second shock attack. It was no surprise, but still, it is a pretty good result for Japan. Yesterday, while going through my doomed troops, I discovered that I had forgotten a few light cargoes in port.
I ordered them out, into the waiting arms of a Japanese surface group.
Day Time Surface Combat, near Hong Kong at 78,66, Range 23,000 Yards
Japanese Ships
CS Chiyoda
BB Ise
BB Hyuga
CL Yura
DD Kuretake
DD Sanae
Allied Ships
xAKL Chengtu, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
xAKL Joan Moller, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAKL Kanchow, Shell hits 13, and is sunk
xAKL Soochow, Shell hits 8, and is sunk
xAKL Yat Shing, Shell hits 12, and is sunk
xAKL Halldor, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
Like a lady
The carrier hunt season is on. Since the beginning of the war, Saratoga remained safely in port, and Enterprise has been sailing south, toward Fiji, out of enemy reach. The Lexington, on the other hand, was tasked with taking the Wake squadron back, and, with KB on her heels, had to crossed the Japanese Carolines today, near Ponape. She was attacked by land based planes, and got torpedoed.
Morning Air attack on TF, near Ponape at 118,115
Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 6
G4M1 Betty x 15
Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 10
F4F-3 Wildcat x 4
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged
No Allied losses
Allied Ships
CV Lexington, Torpedo hits 1, on fire
CA Astoria
Fuel storage explosion on CV Lexington
Damage is lighter than it should have been. She is at 25 sys and 25 float, with no damage to her engines. She will probably make it.