GJ (Allies) - Mr.Kane (Japan) - The allies declare their defeat

[GreyJoy]

We've had a series of great naval battles at Singapore in the last 15 days. The Musashi and Yamato have finally been put out of the war (either sunk or badly damaged), along with some 10 Modern DDs... on the other hand the allies have lost the Nevada, 5 CLs, 2 CAs and some 30 DDs (more due to mines and CD gunfire at Singa than by battleships' shells).
Singapore is a true fortress...with more than 100k men and thousands of planes. Forts must very very high too, cause even with 4 BBs and several CAs bombing the AFs never closes... my 4Es got slaughtered at least 3 times tring to assault that fortress, both by Flak and by the IJ Air Army (composed of SAMs, N1K5 and K48r [X(][X(][X(]).

However we've conquered Malacca with a combined operation of para and barges and have now estabilished there a foothold of 1000 AVs, cutting the only road and railroad that connects Singa with northern Malaya and Thailand. The Japs tried to push me out but a tank division failed to do the trick in time, thanks to the intervention of my Navy who bombed the hell out of it.

Surat Thani is also conquered by paras...but that base is too isolated and the Japs managed to counterattack and surround my troops... too bad!

In Sumatra we've pushed back an army composed of 2 Divisions out of Padang towards Djambi...now we're moving fast both to Djambi and Benkoleng... at least 7 Jap divisions are still based in Sumatra, while I count 8 more divisions in Malaya[X(][X(][X(]

We've managed to push out the 29th Army of Alor Star and are now advancing towards Singora... fierce air fightings all over the place with heavy losses on both sides.

Allied naval losses are tremendous... especially in terms of DDs... but we're doing (finally!) a fine job on the ground, even if Mr.Kane still has a powerfull army which is a terrible enemy when behind forts.

A very fun game however... with the KB still at its zenith and the allied DS that is slowly becoming a factor

[GreyJoy]

31 July 1944

.... Japanese dominions on Sumatra are really shrinking....

[GreyJoy]

while in malasya....

[GreyJoy]

July 31, 1944

The brave men at Surat Thani have finally fallen. They lasted 3 weeks. More than what i could hope. Enough time given to their companions at Alor Star
to be able to finally cut the road and Railroad from Surat Thani to Kotha Baru. Now Southern Malaya is succefully isolated from Bankok.


Ground combat at Surat Thani (51,68)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 33199 troops, 882 guns, 458 vehicles, Assault Value = 595

Defending force 18867 troops, 205 guns, 11 vehicles, Assault Value = 276

Japanese adjusted assault: 394

Allied adjusted defense: 197

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Surat Thani !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
385 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 35 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Guns lost 6 (1 destroyed, 5 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
19810 casualties reported
Squads: 665 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 445 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 250 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 254 (254 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (11 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 9

Assaulting units:
5th Guards Division
Guards Tank Division

Defending units:
31st Infantry Division
Lushai Brigade
158th(Sep) Infantry Regiment
16th LRP Brigade
3rd Commando Brigade
1st USN Naval Construction Regiment
38th US Naval Construction Battalion
36th US Naval Construction Battalion
23rd USN Special Const Bn /1

A bad defeat, but strategically it was a winning move

[JocMeister]

You are making amazing progress despite your early setbacks! [&o]

Have you started bombing the oil yet? I assume you have?

[GreyJoy]

Well, consider that I'm following a couple of HRs that are influencing a lot this game:
1- No Night Bombing except for Nav attacks
2- No 4Es against LCUs

So, yes, we've strat bomb a bit... but in daylight is pretty suicidal, unless you find a weak target. I've taken out 2/3 of Miri's production and now Magwe is in my hands. With Palembang under siege I think the only safe oil route remains the one in south Borneo (Balikapan and Tarakan), along with Java.

Now, August 3, 1944, we've successfully pushed back a tank division and are ready to march to Singora. The enemy is railing several divisions from Bankok...so I guess it's gonna be a statle mate soon... but with the roads and RailRoads blocked just one hex south of Singora, nothing will be moving south.

Ground combat at 50,72 (near Alor Star)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 53071 troops, 873 guns, 1078 vehicles, Assault Value = 1781

Defending force 13739 troops, 341 guns, 669 vehicles, Assault Value = 272

Allied adjusted assault: 1467

Japanese adjusted defense: 311

Allied assault odds: 4 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
2716 casualties reported
Squads: 52 destroyed, 22 disabled
Non Combat: 107 destroyed, 52 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 172 (110 destroyed, 62 disabled)
Vehicles lost 214 (136 destroyed, 78 disabled)
Units retreated 5
Units destroyed 1

Allied ground losses:
308 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 40 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
50th Tank Brigade
37th Infantry Division
23rd Indian Division
25th Indian Division
32nd Infantry Division
754th Tank Battalion
11th PAVO Regiment
III Indian Corps
168th Field Artillery Battalion
8th Mahratta AT Gun Regiment

Defending units:
2nd Tank Division
48th Field AA Battalion
11th Mortar Battalion
1st RF Gun Battalion
7th RF Gun Battalion
29th Army
22nd Fld AA Gun Co
1st Ind. Field Artillery Battalion




What I've found in this game is that even in 1944, the allies aren't able to control the skies. Never.
His KI-84rs kill everything isn't a P-47s. The 2nd mvr band rule makes those beasts unbeatable.
And I cannot bomb him back either... simply too few planes that can sweep bases with 1000 fighters (as I say, only the P47s is a viable option because it's the only one that can fly above 31K) and his concentrated flak is HORRIBLE, even at 20k feet!

I gotta do the old way...advance and conquer small inches of ground...and slowly strangle him...but it takes time and lots of patience

Now we'll see what we can do at Palembang. If we can conquer it, things should be changing pretty fast. As soon as I get a port on the eastern side of Sumatra south of Singa, i'll be able to really threaten his rear defensive lines

[koniu]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

His KI-84rs kill everything isn't a P-47s. The 2nd mvr band rule makes those beasts unbeatable.
And I cannot bomb him back either... simply too few planes that can sweep bases with 1000 fighters (as I say, only the P47s is a viable option because it's the only one that can fly above 31K) and his concentrated flak is HORRIBLE, even at 20k feet!

And what about F6F? Hellcat is also able to sweep above Ki-84r max celling

Everybody are telling that Ki-84r is so great plane. Is this true that he is so much better from "a" version? Minimally better speed and climb rate plus maneuverability bands and that all. On paper he should be only marginally better

If this is true and 2nd mvr band rule is making from Frank r real killer i cant wait to have it in my game

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: koniu

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

His KI-84rs kill everything isn't a P-47s. The 2nd mvr band rule makes those beasts unbeatable.
And I cannot bomb him back either... simply too few planes that can sweep bases with 1000 fighters (as I say, only the P47s is a viable option because it's the only one that can fly above 31K) and his concentrated flak is HORRIBLE, even at 20k feet!

And what about F6F? Hellcat is also able to sweep above Ki-84r max celling

Everybody are telling that Ki-84r is so great plane. Is this true that he is so much better from "a" version? Minimally better speed and climb rate plus maneuverability bands and that all. On paper he should be only marginally better

If this is true and 2nd mvr band rule is making from Frank r real killer i cant wait to have it in my game

It is true. It's decent for sweeps at strato-levels, but good Allied planes in defense still do fine, but defensively if you can't sweep over it this plane will eat you alive. Matched with fast climbing J2M5it's tough with the 2nd best HR.

[JocMeister]

What Erik said.

I think as far as HRs go the "2nd MVR band" one is probably one of the most disruptive and damaging ones.

[GreyJoy]

August 8, 1944

[JocMeister]

Make sure you destroy the HI/LI at Singers!

[GreyJoy]

Singer is untouchable! 100k men, behing probably 8 or 9 forts. at least 300 CD guns, at least 4/500 mines, with countless number of heavy AA units and 1000 fighters (KI-100s, SAMs, N1K5s, J2M3s, KI-84r...). I've already lost 200 4Es, several cruisers and DDs trying to close it down...simply impossible. Not even 3 bombing runs the same night with 5 BBs, 5 CAs, 5 CLs and not less than 70 DDs did the trick... despite heavy losses on the ground the following morning my 4Es arriving over it found more than 300 fighters on CAP![X(][X(][X(][X(].
The "economic war" will take another course: not destroying the HI but conquering/destroying the oilfields. With Miri at 55/300, with Djambi at 50/200 and isolated, and with Palembang that will soon be conquered or neutralized, the Japs will remain with only Balikapan and Tarakan as decent oil sources in the DEI. I need to be patient... brute force won't work in this match and I'm not keen to tolerate any more major losses for no gain at all

[JocMeister]

I don´t think I will have to ask how your 4Es pools are!

Btw, with your "no nightbombing" HR have you been able to use the B29s at all? I have found they get shot down just as easy as the B24 despite their 350 MPH speed. 1 B29 for each airborne fighter. [:(]

[crsutton]

Pretty good positions GJ but how much of his DEI oil production have you cut off or shut down? Does not look like he has any air defense of Palembang so I am assuming that you have bombed it out already.

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Singer is untouchable! 100k men, behing probably 8 or 9 forts. at least 300 CD guns, at least 4/500 mines, with countless number of heavy AA units and 1000 fighters (KI-100s, SAMs, N1K5s, J2M3s, KI-84r...). I've already lost 200 4Es, several cruisers and DDs trying to close it down...simply impossible. Not even 3 bombing runs the same night with 5 BBs, 5 CAs, 5 CLs and not less than 70 DDs did the trick... despite heavy losses on the ground the following morning my 4Es arriving over it found more than 300 fighters on CAP![X(][X(][X(][X(].
The "economic war" will take another course: not destroying the HI but conquering/destroying the oilfields. With Miri at 55/300, with Djambi at 50/200 and isolated, and with Palembang that will soon be conquered or neutralized, the Japs will remain with only Balikapan and Tarakan as decent oil sources in the DEI. I need to be patient... brute force won't work in this match and I'm not keen to tolerate any more major losses for no gain at all

FANTASTIC!!!

You have 100K of troops bottled up in one place meaning they cannot be somewhere else ;]

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Pretty good positions GJ but how much of his DEI oil production have you cut off or shut down? Does not look like he has any air defense of Palembang so I am assuming that you have bombed it out already.

Palembang is well defended and still untouched. 300 fighters based there. 7 forts and heavy AAs... i still need some time to reduce it.

Reached August 18, 1944...

Heavy fightings at Singora, where the allies are close to conquer the base. Forts down to 0 and heavy casualities on jap side.

Pantani has been evacuated. Japs are now defending Kotha Baru with a huge army.

The allies got a bloody nose in their first assault at Palembang...2 Jap IDs defending...7 forts...an US division mauled. Forts not reduced [:(]

Japanese SAGs reported supporting the defence of Singora. More SAGs reported at Batavia.

Allied subs completely useless...

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Singer is untouchable! 100k men, behing probably 8 or 9 forts. at least 300 CD guns, at least 4/500 mines, with countless number of heavy AA units and 1000 fighters (KI-100s, SAMs, N1K5s, J2M3s, KI-84r...). I've already lost 200 4Es, several cruisers and DDs trying to close it down...simply impossible. Not even 3 bombing runs the same night with 5 BBs, 5 CAs, 5 CLs and not less than 70 DDs did the trick... despite heavy losses on the ground the following morning my 4Es arriving over it found more than 300 fighters on CAP![X(][X(][X(][X(].
The "economic war" will take another course: not destroying the HI but conquering/destroying the oilfields. With Miri at 55/300, with Djambi at 50/200 and isolated, and with Palembang that will soon be conquered or neutralized, the Japs will remain with only Balikapan and Tarakan as decent oil sources in the DEI. I need to be patient... brute force won't work in this match and I'm not keen to tolerate any more major losses for no gain at all

FANTASTIC!!!

You have 100K of troops bottled up in one place meaning they cannot be somewhere else ;]

mmm...yes, but i need to neutralize Singapore if i want to advance towards Borneo....

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
Allied subs completely useless...

You are starting to sound like me...[:D]

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Wargmr

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Singer is untouchable! 100k men, behing probably 8 or 9 forts. at least 300 CD guns, at least 4/500 mines, with countless number of heavy AA units and 1000 fighters (KI-100s, SAMs, N1K5s, J2M3s, KI-84r...). I've already lost 200 4Es, several cruisers and DDs trying to close it down...simply impossible. Not even 3 bombing runs the same night with 5 BBs, 5 CAs, 5 CLs and not less than 70 DDs did the trick... despite heavy losses on the ground the following morning my 4Es arriving over it found more than 300 fighters on CAP![X(][X(][X(][X(].
The "economic war" will take another course: not destroying the HI but conquering/destroying the oilfields. With Miri at 55/300, with Djambi at 50/200 and isolated, and with Palembang that will soon be conquered or neutralized, the Japs will remain with only Balikapan and Tarakan as decent oil sources in the DEI. I need to be patient... brute force won't work in this match and I'm not keen to tolerate any more major losses for no gain at all

FANTASTIC!!!

You have 100K of troops bottled up in one place meaning they cannot be somewhere else ;]

mmm...yes, but i need to neutralize Singapore if i want to advance towards Borneo....

With that much firepower there I would be looking at the strait between Sumatra and Java for an assault on the west side of Borneo and let Singapore rot for a while. They either have boatloads of supply (which is also good because that means it is not somewhere else) or they will start starving eventually.

However, I am far from an expert on your game and I am sure there are many other considerations I am not taking into account ;]

[crsutton]

Well, you are at the point where he won't be able to run much supply into Singapore. So it does not matter where you fight him on the peninsula. It is going to burn up his supply.