A Collision of Empires: Walker84(J) vs AU Tiger(A) Scen1. No AU Tiger please

[Walker84]

Dec 15 update and summary of the position to date.

SE and E Pacific

The US carrier force spotted previously near Tarawa retired out of search range but surfaced again with a bang when CDR Tahashi Yamada (I-20) patrolling Canton Island found the Big E in his sights on 14 Dec and launched a fan of torpedoes with at least three confirmed hits. Intel confirmed the Enterprise's loss on the 15th, with the full complement of F4Fs, SBDs and TBFs showing up on the aircraft losses report.

Wake Island had meanwhile fallen to a reinforced naval landing party on the 12 Dec and, having provided air cover for the assault, the KB is now steaming towards Truk to replace pilots and planes lost during the attack on Pearl. The assault on Nauru has now been reinstated and plans are being developed to expand into the Gilberts.

As far as the development of New Guinea, New Britain and the Solomons are concerned, the plan is to secure forward bases for recon and naval search purposes before forces are commited in size.

[Walker84]

DEI progress to 15 Dec

Plans to turn the Celebes Sea into an Imperial Japanese lake with criss-crossing search and recon capability are proceeding apace. Capturing Manado was an early priority and the base will shortly receive an Air HQ plus a vipers nest of Netties.

Units based at Jesselton and Miri cover the northern sector with a good line of sight over shipping moving through the S. China and Sulu Seas. We have already been able successfuly to vector SCTFs on to shipping fleeing HK and Manila as a result. On Dec 15th our forces landed at Sorong to close the net still further. The capture of Kuching and Singkawang are the next priority but will require careful handing owing to the disappearance of Force Z on day 1.

[Walker84]

PI progress to Dec 15

San Fernando, Atimonan and Batan Island all fell on Dec 13th. So far, the PI campaign has been relatively uneventful with our forces advancing steadily but surely up both sides of Luzon, unopposed for now. The plan here primarily is to pursue and then contain until I can spare some divs after Singers falls for the final assault on Bataan. All P40s were withdrawn after the day 1 sweeps and only P26s / P35s have been encountered since. Although I guess the P40s could be hiding and waiting for a surprise opportunity it may be that they will surface again in DEI.

There is still quite a lot of Allied shipping in the area and several SCTFs are in pursuit plus the Takao Netties are on naval attack. We caught a lot of tankers, support vessels and escorts when they tried to escape by heading east so I think the majority are AKs and AKLs.

[Walker84]

China Crisis

The campaign has now advanced to December 20, 1941 and developments in China have taken an interesting turn.

Any expectations I was harbouring that my opponent would perform a conventional retreat from the plains were quickly overturned. Perhaps rashly, I ignored advice posted previously on this AAR and decided to reinforce Ichang which I have held successfully in past campaigns. Sure enough, the city soon became invested by the plentiful Chinese forces in the vicinity, although not before I was able to slip a few reinforcements in plus bump up the supply. What I didn't anticipate was a drive on Sinyang at the same time, and I was obliged to divide my relief forces between the two cities.

On the whole I'm looking forward to watching these developments unfold as I think that with strong air support and the superior quality of my forces I can inflict heavy losses on the Chinese (plus think what this aggressive campaigning stance is going to do to the Chinese supply situation [:)]).

Here are the results of the attacks that went in on Dec 19th. Although my forts have been reduced, my forces remain well-supplied, low in disruption and high in morale. Reinforcements are on the way and I am concentrating more air support in the region.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 84156 troops, 502 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2295

Defending force 22611 troops, 223 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 817

Allied adjusted assault: 2087

Japanese adjusted defense: 876

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 3)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
1437 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 63 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 13 disabled

Allied ground losses:
4043 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 785 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 55 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 17 disabled
Guns lost 27 (2 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Assaulting units:
2nd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
39th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
68th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army

Defending units:
34th Division
14th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Armored Car Co
13th Tank Regiment
13th RGC Temp. Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Sinyang (86,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 40432 troops, 270 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1298

Defending force 18148 troops, 172 guns, 12 vehicles, Assault Value = 542

Allied adjusted assault: 1314

Japanese adjusted defense: 937

Allied assault odds: 1 to 1 (fort level 4)

Allied Assault reduces fortifications to 3

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

Japanese ground losses:
814 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 91 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 12 disabled
Guns lost 5 (2 destroyed, 3 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
1110 casualties reported
Squads: 5 destroyed, 147 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Assaulting units:
84th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
13th Chinese Corps
48th Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
85th Chinese Corps
21st Group Army
3rd Group Army
31st Group Army

Defending units:
116th Division
12th RGC Temp. Division
1st Ind.Mixed Brigade
14th RGC Temp. Division
52nd Road Const Co
67th JAAF AF Coy

Here's a picture of the Central China campaign. You can also observe that Chinese forces are making no attempt to withdraw from Chengchow, Loyang and Tsiatso currently, which means there is surely a good possibility of damaging the Chinese forces in the open before they can establish a more defensible MLR. HK will also probably fall next turn so I will likely use the forces freed up from this to take Wenchow and put pressure on his ability to switch troops to reinforce the centre.

China experts reading this please feel free to comment on the current state of play..

[Walker84]

China Crisis part 2

While bantering with my opponent I made the comment that this is not exactly a Quiet China scenario to which he agreed, citing that he had learned some lessons in China from previous games which may explain his current tactics.

The first thing I learned is always to listen to advice from NYGiants, as I was duly ejected from Ichang on Dec 20. This was a little bit surprising as I was still behind level 2 forts and the odds in terms of AV did not seem unduly stacked against Japan but that just goes to show that I still have a lot to learn about the land combat system in this game. From the report it seems that it was the adjustments wot did it, although quite why the attackers were not dinged for prep and experience as well eludes me at present. The IJA's 34th div in particular was 100% prepped for Ichang. Btw, this is not a rant, just a learning experience[8|]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Allied Deliberate attack

Attacking force 79481 troops, 500 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1710

Defending force 21532 troops, 223 guns, 168 vehicles, Assault Value = 692

Allied adjusted assault: 1871

Japanese adjusted defense: 323

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1 (fort level 2)

Allied forces CAPTURE Ichang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
7769 casualties reported
Squads: 219 destroyed, 71 disabled
Non Combat: 257 destroyed, 50 disabled
Engineers: 49 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 101 (76 destroyed, 25 disabled)
Vehicles lost 71 (64 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Units retreated 7

Allied ground losses:
2322 casualties reported
Squads: 34 destroyed, 255 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 21 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
68th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Corps
59th Chinese Corps
45th Chinese Corps
67th Chinese Corps
32nd Chinese Corps
8th Chinese Corps
18th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps
26th Group Army
39th Chinese Corps

Defending units:
14th Ind.Mixed Brigade
9th Armored Car Co
34th Division
13th Tank Regiment
13th RGC Temp. Division
14th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
1st Mortar Battalion


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the positive side, HK fell to my forces on the same day, and Sinyang held.



China front Combat report Dec 21


Elsewhere in China, my opponent is starting to feel the heat as IJA forces, well-supported by air power, start overrunning his forward positions.


Ground combat at Tsiaotso (88,42)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 30293 troops, 216 guns, 176 vehicles, Assault Value = 1099

Defending force 16856 troops, 99 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 437

Japanese adjusted assault: 610

Allied adjusted defense: 391

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
534 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 115 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 10 disabled
Vehicles lost 11 (2 destroyed, 9 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
451 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 82 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 14 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 8 (1 destroyed, 7 disabled)

Assaulting units:
16th Ind.Mixed Brigade
110th Division
7th Ind.Mixed Brigade
12th Tank Regiment
6th Ind.Mixed Brigade
5th Armored Car Co

Defending units:
61st Chinese Corps
43rd Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
8th Group Army


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 84,48 (near Ichang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 14726 troops, 151 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 647

Defending force 4901 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 165

Japanese adjusted assault: 229

Allied adjusted defense: 43

Japanese assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 29 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
2323 casualties reported
Squads: 73 destroyed, 51 disabled
Non Combat: 50 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 3 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 10 (4 destroyed, 6 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
6th Division
58th Infantry Regiment
11th RGC Temp. Division
2nd Ind. Mountain Gun Regiment
51st Ind.Mtn.Gun Battalion

Defending units:
77th Chinese Corps


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at 89,40 (near Taiyuan)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12430 troops, 141 guns, 69 vehicles, Assault Value = 421

Defending force 4447 troops, 43 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 132

Japanese adjusted assault: 198

Allied adjusted defense: 91

Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1

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

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

Allied ground losses:
1734 casualties reported
Squads: 68 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 28 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 6 (5 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Defeated Allied Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
37th Division
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
34th Chinese Corps


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Walker84]

Dec 27th, 1941 situation report

As the month of December draws to a close, Japanese High Command declares itself highly satisfied with the progress on all fronts to date.
Air and naval losses remain remarkably light and the only real reverse has been the ejection of IJA forces from Ichang. However Chinese forces are now struggling to escape from a pocket at Sinyang and, with major forces grouping in the vicinity, the plan is now to harry them all the way back to Nanyang and press onwards towards Sian. The fall of Tsiatso on Dec 25th has also put Loyang under threat.

Further south in China, forces released by the capture of Hong Kong are advancing from Canton to establish control over the hinterland, in particular the key bases of Wuchow, Kukong and Khansien.

North China

[Walker84]

South China

[Walker84]

DEI report

Singkawang fell on the 25th and Tarakan on the 27th. Both bases will soon be air capable, the former with an air HQ to enable Zeros and Netties to interdict the approaches to Singapore and Palembang. Tarakan's refineries were captured intact. A SCTF including the Repulse was spotted north of Java a few days ago but so far there has been no serious attempt to interfere with any of the landings. Must remain vigilant however (the area is already flooded with my naval search air units) and I wonder if Ward is keeping his powder dry for the main action on Java and the assault on Palembang.

[Walker84]

Burma, Malaya, Indochina

I have only been moving slowly towards Burma and won't reach Moulmein for another week or so. A paradrop from Saigon took out Port Blair however - this should hopefully reduce the opportunity for the Allies to move shorter range aircraft between DEI and Burma / India. They'll just have to go by boat!

Allied forces continue to withdraw towards Singapore and my advanced units have reached Kuala Lumpur with barely a fight. I didn't land at Mersing in the end as I didn't want to risk splitting my naval escorts given my priority on taking Kuching and Singkawang. It will be interesting to find out if any Allied units have managed to escape or if Singers is still garrisoned at full strength. Either way I don't mind as I have plenty of divisions heading down the peninsula and will reform all that I can before moving across the causeway.

My Zero sweeps are netting a lot of Buffalos and Sallies are now flying from Kota Bharu and Taiping escorted by Oscars to keep the Allied fort building down.

[Walker84]

SE Pacific roundup

The following bases have been taken as of 27th Dec: Rabaul, Madang, Shortlands, Makin, Tarawa, Hollandia, Kavieng, Manus, Wake, Nauru Is. As previously reported, USS Enterprise was torpedoed and sunk off Canton Island earlier in the month.

After supporting the Rabaul and Shortlands invasions KB went on a sweep of opportunity, heading down the Solomons and emerging east of Noumea. Recon appears to indicate that Noumea has not been developed so far and, in the absence of Allied air search in the vicinity, the KB was able to emerge undetected. The reward was a big juicy TF of AOs and DDs which were surprised north of Norfolk Island.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Norfolk Island at 113,168

Weather in hex: Overcast

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

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 65
B5N2 Kate x 25
D3A1 Val x 63

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Humphreys, Bomb hits 6, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Platte, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
AO Sabine, Bomb hits 9, heavy fires, heavy damage
AO Kaskaskia, Bomb hits 10, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD King, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Preston, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
DD Sands, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
25 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
15 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Sabine
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Sands
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Platte
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Humphreys
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD King
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Kaskaskia
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring DD Preston


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Norfolk Island at 113,168

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 15 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N2 Kate x 17

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
DD Sands, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
AO Sabine, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD Humphreys, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD Preston, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

Massive explosion on DD Sands

[Walker84]

Philippines

Continuing with the slow build-up of land forces here (I realised that perhaps I had not put enough boots on the ground if the Allies suddenly got adventurous so have been moving more units over [8|]). The reduction of Clark Field by air has commenced although, with elements of 3rd Air div in China currently supporting the ground offensive there, this theatre will be a slow burner until after Singapore falls.

[Walker84]

Jan 13th 1942 - first month of war in review

We have entered into a pretty good rhythm and are turning around a turn per day on average with 2 -3 turns per day at weekends.

Japanese plans are still on target and, outside of China, we have been encountering relatively 'soft' lines of resistance for the most part, with only a few major 'setpiece' engagements. This is not to say that Ward hasn't been running intervention. An aggressive carrier move into the Marshalls ended unluckily for him when one of my subs sank the Enterprise. He then managed to hit my invasion TF at Madang with carrier planes from a TF sitting off Port Moresby. Ironically, I was hitting his shipping in Brisbane Harbour on the same day...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Madang at 97,123 DEC 29, 1941

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 35 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 13 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 2

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 8
F4F-3 Wildcat x 5
SBD-2 Dauntless x 12
SBD-3 Dauntless x 30

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
AMC Nosiro Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Momokawa Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Atsuta Maru, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Seia Maru, Bomb hits 7, and is sunk
PB Santos Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
PB Kaiun Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
E Hachijo

Japanese ground losses:
224 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 12 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afternoon Air attack on Brisbane , at 96,160

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 24 NM, estimated altitude 28,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 28
B5N2 Kate x 67
D3A1 Val x 71

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 2 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Merkur, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Lycaon, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AGP Niagara, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Chaumont, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AMc Tongkol, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAP Ormiston, Bomb hits 1
xAP Montoro, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Malaita, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Republic, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage

Port hits 3

Although the KB steamed northwards, our CVs failed to meet up on this occasion so he must have escaped west towards the DEI.



Another attempt on Jan 3 to use CVs to interfere with the invasion of Sorong ran into my 'Nettie nest' at Manado. Unluckily for the navy pilots, the torpedo bombers were low on torpedoes and so did less damage than could have been expected, however the point was made and I doubt my opponent will put Lady Lex at risk within a radius of Manado again in the near future.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 80,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 24 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 9 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 6

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 18
F4F-3 Wildcat x 18

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 2 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CV Lexington

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F2A-3 Buffalo (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 4000 and 16000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (4 airborne, 9 on standby, 5 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 12000 and 20000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 38 minutes



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Kofiau at 80,107

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 31
G4M1 Betty x 18

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 18
F4F-3 Wildcat x 17

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed, 5 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
F2A-3 Buffalo: 1 destroyed
F4F-3 Wildcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CA Indianapolis
CA Louisville
CA Portland
CV Lexington, Bomb hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
14 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 12000 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb

CAP engaged:
VF-2 with F2A-3 Buffalo (0 airborne, 8 on standby, 5 scrambling)
0 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
5 planes vectored on to bombers
VMF-211 with F4F-3 Wildcat (0 airborne, 4 on standby, 5 scrambling)
3 plane(s) not yet engaged, 5 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 20000 , scrambling fighters between 10000 and 14180.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 33 minutes
1 planes vectored on to bombers



South Seas

The reassuring presence of the KB has allowed good progress to be made in this theatre and the bases of Makin, Tarawa, Tabiteau and Ocean and Nauru Is have been added to the haul. Shortlands is the most southerly conquest in the Solomons and once an Air Flotilla arrives in Rabaul in the next day or two consideration will be given to hopping further south.

[Walker84]

CV strike East of Tonga Is - Jan 14th '42


Flying at the limit of their range, the KB's Kate bombers surprise an Allied transport task force on the morning of January 14th. They return later that day to finish the job...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Niue at 146,168

Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 8 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
B5N2 Kate x 57

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAP Rangatira
xAK Chickasaw City, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Exmoor, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Jacob Luckenbach
DD Lawrence
AO Cuyama
xAK Admiral Y. Williams
DD Rathburne
xAK Steel Ranger, Bomb hits 1, on fire
PC Kimball

Aircraft Attacking:
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
9 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
13 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Chickasaw City
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Exmoor
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Steel Ranger

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

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 16,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 68
B5N2 Kate x 106

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 3 damaged

Allied Ships
DD Lawrence
xAK Admiral Y. Williams, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Steel Ranger, Bomb hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Exmoor, Bomb hits 5, and is sunk
PC Kimball, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk
xAP Matsonia, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAP Rangatira, Bomb hits 1
AO Cuyama, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
xAK Jacob Luckenbach, Bomb hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Chickasaw City, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAP Monterey, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage

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

Aircraft Attacking:
25 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
17 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
24 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 12000 feet *
Naval Attack: 2 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Admiral Y. Williams
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Steel Ranger
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Exmoor
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring AO Cuyama
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Jacob Luckenbach
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Chickasaw City
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring PC Kimball
Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAP Monterey

This has been the KB's second successful major interdiction of Allied supply lines between Oz and the West Coast. Clearly the KB can't keep this up and will need to retire soon for some resupply and refitting. Hopefully, our LBA will be able to take up some of the strain by then.

[Walker84]

China

After the relief of Sinyang, Chinese forces fell back on Nanyang so quickly that the IJA was unable to intercept them. Still, a risky salient could be encircled as Chengchow and Loyang still appear to be occupied in force.

Further south, Chinese forces have recently been ejected from Kukong and Kanhsien and the focus is now on Chuhsien and Wenchow.

Ground combat at Chuhsien (88,56) JAN 14, 1942

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 26098 troops, 255 guns, 219 vehicles, Assault Value = 949

Defending force 9265 troops, 68 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 222

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 707

Allied adjusted defense: 427

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
132 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Allied ground losses:
152 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 26 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 9 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled

Assaulting units:
5th Tank Regiment
5th Ind. Engineer Regiment
22nd Division
21st Division
4th Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
3rd New Chinese Corps
3rd War Area
10th Group Army

[Walker84]

Philippines

Atimonan is still my largest port so forces landing here are gathering for a push on Manila while the line is being held at Lingayen in the north. IJA is losing the odd plane to flak over Clark and, every so often, P-40s fly back in to activate a CAP trap. Must get the fields shut down.

DEI

After we captured Boela the Allies bombed the oil badly which makes me think I better isolate the available air bases before I go in to Palembang et al. In addition to Manado, Boela and Sorong, we now hold Tarakan, Jolo, Singkawang. There was one Allied CV foray into DEI but no sign of Force Z so far. I am advancing a bit more carefully and ensuring that I have naval search and LBA cover in place as I go. There seems little point in risking additional shipping in Jan '42 to advance my timings by a matter of a few days...


Malaya / Burma

All of Malaya has been captured down to Johore Bahru where 5 or so divisions are being assembled for the main push. Judging by the recon, I suspect that Singapore has a full garrison i.e. nothing withdrawn but we'll find out soon enough. There is a lot of flak there and it's proving tough to keep the airfield closed down. Additional bombers are moving to Johore which will hopefully reduce the number of ops losses somewhat.

Further north, 15th Army advance echelons are about to eject an Allied screening force from Moulmein. B-17s and AVG elements have already been encountered flying from Rangoon.

[Walker84]

Jan 23rd 1942 - Allied counterattack at Moulmein!


After my forces took Moulmein from a single garrison bn, I had joked to my counterpart that his armies in Burma seemed to be retreating in the wrong direction but, lo and behold, a full-blooded counterattack was quickly launched across the river by two divisions. The assault was preceded by an Allied naval bombardment...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Allied Ships
CA Exeter
CA Cornwall
CL Colombo
CL Capetown
CL Caledon
CL Glasgow
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
CL Enterprise
CL Hobart

Japanese ground losses:
60 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 17 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Vehicles lost 6 (2 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Manpower hits 2
Fires 489
Airbase hits 10
Airbase supply hits 6
Runway hits 48
Port hits 9
Port fuel hits 6
Port supply hits 1

CA Exeter firing at 2nd RTA Division
CA Cornwall firing at Moulmein
CL Colombo firing at Moulmein
CL Capetown firing at Moulmein
CL Caledon firing at Moulmein
CL Glasgow firing at Moulmein
CL Ceres firing at Moulmein
CL Dauntless firing at 143rd Infantry Regiment
CL Enterprise firing at Moulmein
CL Hobart firing at Moulmein

The previous turn I managed to get a low-flying air strike avoiding the 40 - 50 fighters the Allies have assembled in Rangoon. Here is the outcome of the cross-river assault.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Moulmein (55,55)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 15960 troops, 153 guns, 13 vehicles, Assault Value = 615

Defending force 11324 troops, 70 guns, 78 vehicles, Assault Value = 308

Allied adjusted assault: 138

Japanese adjusted defense: 289

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
291 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 39 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1167 casualties reported
Squads: 6 destroyed, 158 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 14 disabled
Guns lost 10 (1 destroyed, 9 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (1 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Assaulting units:
1st Burma Division
17th Indian Division

Defending units:
55th Cavalry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
2nd RTA Division
15th Army


So, he has quite a few disabled units after the assault, but my forces in theatre are very light as I have been primarily focused on prepping for Singapore, plus Moulmein's forts are only up to level 1. The closest reinforcements which should arrive in Moulmein next turn are combat engineers and a mountain gun unit, then I have another inf regt moving across country from Pisanloke. An armoured regiment is also being railed in from the south and I will then have to decide whether to release any further reinforcements from the forces currently gathering in Johore Bahru.

This is more of a nuisance factor than anything else as I can easily retaliate but on the other hand don't want to diminish my opportunity of taking out Singers quickly, so a good example of how an aggressive Allied countermove can keep the Japanese on their toes even in early '42.

Ah, decisions, decisions!

[Walker84]

Feb 2, 1942 update

I've not really been finding the time to post lately but the game has entered an interesting phase as we move into February '42.

Burma

Well, we are actually conducting a strategic withdrawal from Moulmein [X(] as the 1 Burma / 17 Indian roadblock remains in place, plus Ward has been running nightly bombardment TFs out of Rangoon to leave the place well and truly trashed (100AF damage etc). I remain loathe to deflect more forces away from the encirclement of Singapore, although this means that the closing of the Burma Road may be delayed.

An air flotilla has been moved to Bangkok and we are now focused on closing down Rangoon as a base so that the immediate problem will be erased. The other positive to be drawn is that I know that the bulk of his cruisers are not in the DEI to impede my landings.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 01, 42 (edited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Allied Ships
CL Marblehead
CL Durban
CL Dragon
CL Danae
DD Tenedos
DD Stronghold
DD Parrott
DD Paul Jones
DD Bulmer
DD Barker

Japanese ground losses:
50 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 8 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Manpower hits 1
Fires 166
Runway hits 6
Port hits 5
Port fuel hits 1

CL Marblehead firing at 2nd RTA Division
CL Durban firing at Moulmein
CL Dragon firing at 143rd Infantry Regiment
CL Danae firing at 55th Mountain Gun Regiment
DD Tenedos firing at Moulmein
DD Stronghold firing at Moulmein
DD Parrott firing at Moulmein
DD Paul Jones firing at 143rd Infantry Regiment
DD Bulmer firing at Moulmein
DD Barker firing at Moulmein


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Moulmein at 55,55

Allied Ships
CA Cornwall
CL Ceres
CL Dauntless
CL Enterprise
CL Hobart
DD Electra
DD Scout
DD Kortenaer
DD Evertsen
DD Witte de With
DD Van Nes
DD Banckert
DD Stewart

Japanese ground losses:
91 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 10 destroyed, 0 disabled

Manpower hits 13
Fires 490
Airbase hits 1
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 17
Port hits 2
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

CA Cornwall firing at 2nd RTA Division
CL Ceres firing at 2nd RTA Division
CL Dauntless firing at 55th Mountain Gun Regiment
CL Enterprise firing at Moulmein
CL Hobart firing at Moulmein
DD Electra firing at Moulmein
DD Scout firing at 55th Mountain Gun Regiment
DD Kortenaer firing at 2nd RTA Division
DD Evertsen firing at Moulmein
DD Witte de With firing at 2nd RTA Division
DD Van Nes firing at Moulmein
DD Banckert firing at Moulmein
DD Stewart firing at Moulmein


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's the response:
Afternoon Air attack on Rangoon , at 54,53

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 31 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G3M2 Nell x 28
G4M1 Betty x 27

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
CL Glasgow, Bomb hits 3
CL Colombo, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires
CL Caledon, Bomb hits 1
CL Capetown, Bomb hits 1

Port hits 3

Aircraft Attacking:
28 x G3M2 Nell bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb
27 x G4M1 Betty bombing from 10000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb, 4 x 60 kg GP Bomb


DEI - The Hunting of Force Z

Landings continued in DEI meanwhile, with Ambon, Kendari and Babo added to the haul. As soon as I capture an oil resource, e.g. Babo, Ward tends to bomb it to the stone age so that it will need complete repair, and so my strategy will be to try to isolate the oil from his operable airbases in future, although B-17 range may make this difficult to achieve in practice.

An augmented Force Z attempted some raids at the end of Dec but, after successfully catching a few transports unloading at Ambon, the hunters swiftly became the hunted. A four-CV Air combat TF had quickly refitted at Truk after the KB's Sopac sweep and moved across to cover the DEI.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Damar at 74,113 [JAN 28, 1941]

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid spotted at 40 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 15 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 39
B5N1 Kate x 4
B5N2 Kate x 12
D3A1 Val x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 4 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 8 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
CL Tromp
BB Prince of Wales, Bomb hits 2, Torpedo hits 2, on fire
CA Houston
BC Repulse, Bomb hits 1, Torpedo hits 1
CA Indianapolis, Bomb hits 2

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
3 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N1 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
6 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo
6 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000' *
Naval Attack: 2 x 60 kg GP Bomb
4 x B5N2 Kate launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 18in Type 91 Torpedo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somehow the allied TF managed to slip away but was spotted hugging the coast of Timor. A second long range wave of Kates scored more bombing hits next day but the fate of PoW and Repulse remained uncertain.

I had two SCTFs containing BBs and CAs partnered with the Air Comb TF and these now converged on Koepang where recon spotted a whole host of goodies. Seems the Allies were planning to build this base up to hold as the 18th British Division is present. Allied fighters were also swarming like angry wasps to protect the shipping in the port so rather than risk valuable carrier air, two bombardment TFs were sent in on successive nights to soften the place up. Here is the second result:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Naval bombardment of Koepang at 68,116

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
75A-7 Hawk: 4 damaged
75A-7 Hawk: 1 destroyed on ground
P-40B Warhawk: 17 damaged
P-40B Warhawk: 3 destroyed on ground
PBY-5 Catalina: 2 damaged
CW-21B Demon: 2 damaged
CW-21B Demon: 1 destroyed on ground
B-339D: 11 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Hyuga
BB Ise
BB Fuso
BB Nagato

Allied Ships
BB Prince of Wales, Shell hits 21, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Clan Lamont, Shell hits 1
xAK Sloterdijk, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
xAP Esperance Bay, Shell hits 4
xAP Largs Bay, Shell hits 2
xAK Doryssa, Shell hits 2, heavy fires

Allied ground losses:
320 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 56 disabled
Engineers: 4 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 42 (10 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 23 (7 destroyed, 16 disabled)

Airbase hits 16
Airbase supply hits 3
Runway hits 53
Port hits 14
Port supply hits 4

BB Hyuga firing at 18th British Division
BB Ise firing at Koepang
BB Fuso firing at Koepang
BB Nagato firing at Koepang

--------------------------------------------------

So it appears that the Repulse has managed to limp away for now.

[Walker84]

Aleutians

A US Marine Defence bn and probably some engineers have landed at Adak Is, so we are moving to interdict any pronounced build-up here. Attu is held and Amchitka will fall tomorrow. A few days ago one of our subs managed to put a torpedo into an AS arriving at Dutch Harbor.

The plan here is to deny the Allies the opportunity to develop the Aleutians early on in the game, especially until the defences of the Kuriles have been built up.

[Walker84]

SOPAC

Not a lot to report. We bombarded Cairns to keep the Aussies honest. Port Moresby seems to have a high troop concentration so may be another Allied 'hold' destination. Tabiteau is now a port and will soon be an airbase. We hold Tulagi and are mulling ideas about how far southwards to expand.

Philippines

Continuing to invest the north and gathering forces to go for Manila from the south next.

Planning to take out Cagayan soon to deny P40s the ability to hop back and forth between Bataan and the DEI. (One or two CAP traps have been organised out of Bataan lately and the planes always disappear again annoyingly).

China

The Chinese offensive appears to have run out of steam for the time being and we have taken Chengchow and Loyang, inflicting heavy losses. Trying to open up a corridor to Sian while making sure the front remains solid elsewhere.

[Walker84]

Update Feb 3 - Apr 1, 1942

Well, its been a while since I have managed to post anything and the game has advanced two months. I can definitely say at this point that Ward is a doughty and resourceful opponent and my timetable is looking a bit shot to pieces as a result. I guess in my last two PBEMs I encountered either a Sir Robin, or quick withdrawal / Fortress Palembang strategy , and have been caught off balance this time by a tenacious tip and run defence. So, as of April Fools day 1942, the Empire is still sitting to the East of Moulmein, has not taken Singapore, does not yet have a toehold on either Sumatra or Java, and has not taken Clark Field. Pretty much everywhere else on the map, things are going well according to plan lol!

So what exactly has been happening?

1. Heavy Allied reinforcement of Burma can pay early dividends. Previously, I have managed to take Rangoon without much difficulty, deploying the 15th Army regiment-sized elements supported by the Thais. This time round, we encountered a blocking force of 2 divisions at Moulmein and then suffered the indignity of nightly naval bombardments that necessitated a withdrawal from the coastal hex back in the direction of Rahaeng. The SCTFs were protected by 75 fighters in Rangoon which I was disinclined to go up against having insufficient ground troops in theatre to break through in any case.

2. Having decided to ignore the temptation to pull forces from Singapore to deal with this irritation, the Empire then suffered Indignity Number Two when a sizeable Allied carrier force turned up to the West of Sumatra and - helped by B-17s and the AVG - managed to close our main Malaysian airfields at Kuala Lumpur and Johore Bahru. Unfortunately I now realised that I had not upped Oscar 1c production enough to replace sustained losses and the Nates and Zeros alone were not up to the job so I had to abandon the effort to reduce Singapore for several weeks while rebuilding fighter strength. It's pretty bad to lose tactical air superiority as Japan this early on, and I can appreciate that Ward did a clever thing in pulling his P40s out of PI early on then combining everything he could put into the air to achieve local superiority over Malaya.

3. On the plus side, Ward's forward strategy has led to a healthy positive balance in terms of naval losses. Highlights will be posted later, but I guess he will be happy to trade such replaceable losses for the delay this is causing to the creation of the Greater Asian Co-prosperity Sphere.

Current priorities

The biggest priority now is to close down the airfields of Java and Sumatra as a prelude to taking both islands and capturing the oil intact. Of all of the vital oil-producing locations, Miri, Brunei and Tarakan have been secured to date which means that my fuel production is adequate for current needs but I will be happy if I can take the other oil wells intact and this is what the current deployment of forces is all about. What I do know is that Ward has deployed the 18th British division at Koepang and with the reinforcements in Burma there can't be a lot left to support the Dutch in Java and Sumatra at this stage. At least that's the theory...