Return of the Sheep! - JocMeister(A) vs. MrKane(J)

[ny59giants]

Australia - The line to trigger "Emergency Reinforcements" is the hex just south of Brisbane. So he can take Brisbane in the east and Port Augusta in the west WITHOUT triggering them. What happened to me was my industry was hit hard from Brisbane and lots of strategic points were gained by Olorin. I would hit the Stockpile for supply at Melbourne to "Yes" as Sydney tends to hoard them all just ion case he goes for the whole continent.

What non-Australian troops do you have there??

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

[font="Verdana"] Invasion materializes![/font]
______________________________________________________________________________

So this is it. A Japanese landing at Maryborough! Is it a full scale on or just a spoiling attack...I guess we will know if he crosses the LOD or not. If I remember correctly is just south of Brisbane?

Any estimates on how much he would need to fully conquer Western OZ? I will move the 350 AV from Brisbane to Melbourne boosting both UH hexes to 1000 AV with level 3 forts. Can he realistically do it?

You mean Eastern? He could run roughshod over the entire NE coastline with just a division and some tanks, as the troops you have are poor quality and you have no armour or many guns to speak of at the start of the war.

The Line of Death is the hex south of Brisbane - he can capture Brisbane, but if he crosses even a fragment of a unit south of Brisbane, he triggers the reinforcements.

Judging by his choice of invasion spot, he's looking to cut your lines in half and kill whatever you have north of Brisbane, while holding you back from the south. Look for him to cut the rail line out of Toowcomba ASAP, which will prevent any strat moves out of the Townsville area.

[JocMeister]

Yes, Eastern. My bad. [:)]

I got the turn back just a few minutes ago. Havn´t had time to run the turn yet but this is from the CR.

AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Feb 03, 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amphibious Assault at Maryborough (96,157)

TF 16 troops unloading over beach at Maryborough, 96,157

Japanese ground losses:
391 casualties reported
Squads: 23 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

12 troops of a IJA HMG Section lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 38th Div /4
17 troops of a IJN Const Eng Sq accidentally lost during unload of 22nd Special Base Force
17 troops of a SNLF Inf Squad 41 lost overboard during unload of 24th Special Base Force
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 24th Special Base Force /2
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 22nd Special Base Force /3
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 24th Special Base Force /4
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /1
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /3
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /4
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 21st Div /4
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /4
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div /5
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /5
15 Support troops lost from landing craft during unload of 21st Div /5
15 Support troops lost in surf during unload of 21st Div /5
15 Support troops accidentally lost during unload of 21st Div /5
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost in surf during unload of 38th Div /5
17 troops of a IJA Inf Squad lost from landing craft during unload of 38th Div /5
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /5
15 Support troops lost overboard during unload of 38th Div /5

So it looks like a 2 ID landing. Both IDs were prior to this found by SIGINT moving to Truk. A 3rd one was used to capture Noumea (33rd ID). So no danger of an all out attack yet. I think this might be an attempt to secure VPs by using LBA to bomb the OZ industry as happened to Michael. As Loka says he is also likely hoping to capture a lot of troops in the North. Luckily I´m prepared and all that is guarding the North are fast tank units and the necessary BFs. If the rail is cut I hope I can escape but driving on the roads towards the SW.

[Lokasenna]

Interesting that he didn't land any armor in the first wave. He'll have 75ish (?) engineers on the ground on Day 1 to begin working on that airfield level, and ~72-120 Av Supp (I forget if the special base forces have 24 or 48 in them).

Can you get some DL on the base to get an early read on where he's heading?

[BBfanboy]

High casualties on landing = low prep. He is willing to take losses like this to achieve surprise, at least while
he has the amphib bonus.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

High casualties on landing = low prep. He is willing to take losses like this to achieve surprise, at least while
he has the amphib bonus.

Not terribly high. Also probably another factor in why he picked this spot - no organic CD guns, and I think it might even start with no Australian units defending it. He was banking on you not having anything there (which he may have confirmed with aerial recon).

~400 casualties in the landing is not that bad, though, spread among 4 units. Maybe two cycles of replacements to recover them all if he also lands plenty of supply and splits into thirds.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Interesting that he didn't land any armor in the first wave. He'll have 75ish (?) engineers on the ground on Day 1 to begin working on that airfield level, and ~72-120 Av Supp (I forget if the special base forces have 24 or 48 in them).

Can you get some DL on the base to get an early read on where he's heading?

He has all armor except two Tank RGTs in China. Most if not all heavy Arty too. Speculation on my part but I think he do that because it will limit losses in China. Chinese can´t hurt tankettes after all and that will mean less VPs lost to army losses.

I have some Bolos training recon in OZ but they are very low skilled and I have nothing with a camera. Will give it a try though! [:)]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Interesting that he didn't land any armor in the first wave. He'll have 75ish (?) engineers on the ground on Day 1 to begin working on that airfield level, and ~72-120 Av Supp (I forget if the special base forces have 24 or 48 in them).

Can you get some DL on the base to get an early read on where he's heading?

He has all armor except two Tank RGTs in China. Most if not all heavy Arty too. Speculation on my part but I think he do that because it will limit losses in China. Chinese can´t hurt tankettes after all and that will mean less VPs lost to army losses.

I have some Bolos training recon in OZ but they are very low skilled and I have nothing with a camera. Will give it a try though! [:)]

Right, but he should have several unrestricted regiments that are pre-set to be used in Malaya/Luzon, I think. 8th Tank for sure, plus some he could buy out from Japan. Plenty of armor and armor-lite (tankettes) starts in China and is restricted or in Manchuria, no need to send more.

Yeah, it's a shame about the lack of early war Allied recon. Even just LBs with a camera would work in a pinch, or even PA/FP types.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Right, but he should have several unrestricted regiments that are pre-set to be used in Malaya/Luzon, I think. 8th Tank for sure, plus some he could buy out from Japan. Plenty of armor and armor-lite (tankettes) starts in China and is restricted or in Manchuria, no need to send more.

Yeah, it's a shame about the lack of early war Allied recon. Even just LBs with a camera would work in a pinch, or even PA/FP types.

Only seen two outside China. One in Malaya and one on Luzon. Thats a bit...troubling. How many more should there be that I havn´t seen?

[rook749]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Yeah, it's a shame about the lack of early war Allied recon. Even just LBs with a camera would work in a pinch, or even PA/FP types.

I re-sized a Fulmar II ACU on the Hermes and left it in Oz for some recon, any chance you can get one there?

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: rook749
I re-sized a Fulmar II ACU on the Hermes and left it in Oz for some recon, any chance you can get one there?

Thats a great idea! Will look into it. Thanks! [&o]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Right, but he should have several unrestricted regiments that are pre-set to be used in Malaya/Luzon, I think. 8th Tank for sure, plus some he could buy out from Japan. Plenty of armor and armor-lite (tankettes) starts in China and is restricted or in Manchuria, no need to send more.

Yeah, it's a shame about the lack of early war Allied recon. Even just LBs with a camera would work in a pinch, or even PA/FP types.

Only seen two outside China. One in Malaya and one on Luzon. Thats a bit...troubling. How many more should there be that I havn´t seen?

I will need to look, but I can't remember what scenario you are playing.

[Lowpe]

This is exciting.

[offenseman]

It is exciting. Maybe exciting in a different way for the Allied player than for us followers...

[ny59giants]

Lord Howe Island - Get some Aviation Support and a group of PBYs and/or 2 groups of Catalina over to provide Naval Search. You may see raiding TFs with or without CV as you try to get ships into Melbourne. When I was under siege, I had to come in from the deep south to southern Australia from NZ. I used my CVs to escort things in for a while.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
Right, but he should have several unrestricted regiments that are pre-set to be used in Malaya/Luzon, I think. 8th Tank for sure, plus some he could buy out from Japan. Plenty of armor and armor-lite (tankettes) starts in China and is restricted or in Manchuria, no need to send more.

Yeah, it's a shame about the lack of early war Allied recon. Even just LBs with a camera would work in a pinch, or even PA/FP types.

Only seen two outside China. One in Malaya and one on Luzon. Thats a bit...troubling. How many more should there be that I havn´t seen?

I will need to look, but I can't remember what scenario you are playing.

Unless there are large changes between stock Scen 1/Scen 2 and what you are playing, here's what starts unrestricted:

1st Tank Rgt (Part of 1st Tank Division, Malaya-bound)
5th Recon Rgt (Part of 5th ID, Malaya-bound)
2nd Recon Rgt (Part of 2nd ID, Malaya-bound)
56th Recon Rgt (Part of 56th ID, Malaya-bound)
16th Recon Rgt (Part of 16th ID, I think Luzon-bound)
2nd Tank Rgt (unrestricted at Takao), part of 2nd Ind Tank Brigade
22nd Recon Rgt (Part of 18th ID, starts at Samah)
7th Tank Rgt (Part of 2nd Tank Division, starts at Pescadores)
4th Tank Rgt (Pescadores) - independent unit
48th Tank Rgt (part of 48th ID, Pescadores)
6th Tank Rgt (Part of 2nd Tank Division, starts at CRB)
14th Tank Rgt (Battambang in Thailand) - independent unit
8th Tank Rgt (Babeldaob) - independent unit

The Tank Divisions all have pieces that arrive in Mukden later in the war, and they are restricted to a Chinese HQ, so PPs have to be spent to combine them no matter what.

I believe the following are Scen 2 reinforcements (all unrestricted):
5th Guards Cav Rgt (CRB), 1 March 1942
7th Ind Tank Brigade (CRB), 1 April 1942
Guards Tank Division (CRB - definitely Scen 2 only), 1 May 1942

More comes later on in summer/fall 1942 - mostly the pieces to the Tank Divisions, and a couple of smaller tank regiments on Honshu in July. All are yellow-restricted.

I've bolded the units that he should have by now.

[JocMeister]

Thanks Loka. [&o]

We are playing some version of DBB! Have to check up through Intel and Combat reports and find all the "missing" Tank RGT. Starting to get a bit worried I´m missing something big.

Heading out for a wedding today and will be back tomorrow. Really looking forward to suiting up in 32 degrees Celsius.. [:(]

Won´t have time to update until I´m back tomorrow. We had some small successes in China that will buy a couple of days. Now lost 380 VPs to strat bombing. This will get worse as he can get LBA to bear. 825 AV ashore in OZ. So not a threat. Yet....

See you guys tomorrow! [:)]

[JeffroK]

Hate say "I told you so"

But only 2 Divisions, have a good look around, get as many aircraft on Nav Search as possible and look for another Amphib TF heading somewhere else.

I would also not rely on the Brisbane Line, most reinforcements arrive in Aden and have to get past the IJN to get to Perth and then catch the train to the East Coast, at least a month before they arrive.

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Hate say "I told you so"

But only 2 Divisions, have a good look around, get as many aircraft on Nav Search as possible and look for another Amphib TF heading somewhere else.

I would also not rely on the Brisbane Line, most reinforcements arrive in Aden and have to get past the IJN to get to Perth and then catch the train to the East Coast, at least a month before they arrive.

I agree, there are some unaccounted for troops and ships. He would know that he only needs 2 divisions to work you over in NE Oz, so where are the rest? hmmmm Could be nearby to simplify his naval deployments. Could be the other coast of Oz as well. While unlikely it would not surprise me right now.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: offenseman

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Hate say "I told you so"

But only 2 Divisions, have a good look around, get as many aircraft on Nav Search as possible and look for another Amphib TF heading somewhere else.

I would also not rely on the Brisbane Line, most reinforcements arrive in Aden and have to get past the IJN to get to Perth and then catch the train to the East Coast, at least a month before they arrive.

I agree, there are some unaccounted for troops and ships. He would know that he only needs 2 divisions to work you over in NE Oz, so where are the rest? hmmmm Could be nearby to simplify his naval deployments. Could be the other coast of Oz as well. While unlikely it would not surprise me right now.

While this is true, there are immediate boosts to the pools, particularly for aircraft and tanks. Or at least a boost after the emergency convoy disbands, which might be 3 days later.


As for where are the other 2 divisions...it's entirely possible that he just doesn't have the shipping to bring more than that right now, if he's conducting any sort of ops or redeployment elsewhere.