NFC East Showdown: Cribtop (J) vs NY59Giants (A) - Between the Storms

[Cribtop]

December 7, 1941

Subs

At Pearl, all five midget subs fail to penetrate the harbor. This probably constituted my last offensive use of the early model midgets. Paying 3 VPs for a lottery ticket isn’t my idea of a good tradeoff.

Unaware that Allied subs were at sea near Hawaii, I somewhat lazily left KB-1 and KB-2 on their preset routes to a point 2 hexes north of Oahu. Cribtop HQ pays for this quickly with two sub attacks on the inbound carriers. One fails to penetrate the escort screen, but SS Plunger puts a working(!) torpedo into shiny new CVL toy Ryukaku. Ouch, not a good start to the replay. We immediately fear a disrupted strike due to low Ops points, but things quickly start to look up.

Kuriles

Not much happening yet, but an FT TF is moving toward Etorofu. There, we will load one of the IJN Assault Divisions to land at several bases in the Aleutians before reinforcement can arrive for the Allies. Two AMCs in northern waters at game start are ordered to pull back a bit to a point south of Dutch Harbor to serve as pickets for this invasion.

Pacific

This Area of Operations (AO) will combine 4th Fleet and SE Fleet in my prior AAR.

Results of the Pearl strike are set out above. It was quite nice in both the aerial and naval damage aspects. CVL Ryukaku’s hit does not appear mortal, but it is sufficient to put paid to any suggestion of a second day strike. I’d rather keep a CVL than sink another old BB or two. As mentioned above, really happy at the bonus hits on 2 CAs, 2 CLs and a DD. Fewer early game fleet opportunities for Michael because of that damage. With a DL of 9/10, the Pearl airfields show 27 fighters, 10 bombers and 6 auxiliary planes present. No doubt there is some fog of war there, but it seems like a lot of enemy planes were destroyed on the ground.

We don’t sortie the Makin or Tarawa invasions, fearful of USN CV intervention and in no immediate hurry to seize the empty Gilberts. The Wake and Guam invasions load at Saipan, which in the BTS mod is a fully built out naval base with significant assets. Guam will proceed immediately while Wake will sail east to meet KB at the target. The South Seas Detachment will be loaded and sailed immediately west to join the parent 55th Division as Cribtop HQ judges the disposition of forces adequate for our goals here and we strongly favor using full divisions.

To that end, it is likely that 33rd Division will divert to the Pacific AO. This is because 4th Division starts in Takao and was loaded for Malaya. We usually use 4th Division for the Pacific, so 33rd is well positioned to trade places.

Eniwetok hits forts 1. You can never start digging in too early.

Southern Resource Area (SRA)

The plan for the DEI will be detailed with a separate post and map below. Basically, we plan to bypass some of the normal targets, get to Palembang and Java, then backfill once the pesky new Allied surface and air threats are neutralized as a result of the isolation.

The twin strikes on Manila bore good fruit as detailed above. Airfield attacks go in at Hong Kong, Alor Star, Georgetown, Kuantan and Kota Bharu.

Aparri and Batan Island are invaded, Batan falls to the auto shock attack. Batan was a target of opportunity for Cribtop HQ mostly intended for later use as an ASW base. The troops will immediately re-load for another target. I like landing at Aparri since it’s easier to cover by air and sea, has a good road to Manila and is harder to reach by Allied PTs and surface ships.

Burma

15th Army saddles up. We have a nasty little surprise planned here.

China

As is common these days, the prime initial targets are Sian and Lanchow. Most of the first turn in China is getting the army moving while starting to rationalize garrisons. Bit of a mess for now. Stacking limits should be very interesting and will alter the war in the CBI theaters from my previous experience.

38th Division marches on Hong Kong with a little help from China Expeditionary troops and the IJNAF.

[John 3rd]

Hitting those CAs and CLs are the true victory in the PH Strike. NICE!

[offenseman]

Subscribed and lurking for the moment. Good Luck!

[Cribtop]

Welcome!

I owe you guys a screenie on the DEI plan. Coming soon.

[Cribtop]

The Plan - Western DEI.




Legend - Phase I targets in Red. Phase II targets in Yellow. Phase III targets in Orange.

So, what the heck is Cribtop HQ up to? We analyzed the enemy's improved air and naval combat capabilities and decided on a fairly conventional Malaya opening. No Mersing gambit and no fast attempt to seize Sinkawang.

Instead, we had the CVLs keeping both those targets under air threat the first two days in hopes Michael would sortie Force Z into a hail of Kates. No such luck, but worth a try.

We will invade Kuantan and march across to the good roads, then proceed down to get Singers. It will take a while, but less time than marching from Singora. Intention is to use an Air HQ at Kuantan to provide Netty coverage of the area around Palembang to facilitate a quick invasion of Kuching, Sinkawang and then Palembang itself.

Not very exciting, but against the better enemy capabilities and with an overall war plan that doesn't need quick moves on exotic Phase II targets it will get the job done with low risk.

[Cribtop]

The Plan - Eastern DEI.




Legend is the same: Red is Phase I; Yellow Phase II; Orange Phase III.

Here things are a bit more interesting. We plan to rely in many areas on isolating the weak early enemy garrisons for later destruction once the air and naval threat is resolved. Thus, you don't see moves here on Ternate, Manado, etc.

After supporting invasions of Luzon and pounding the Thundering Herd, KB-3 will escort an invasion to Ambon with an Air HQ. A small paradrop will take the other base to force a surrender when Ambon falls.

This provides air cover to go after Kendari and Timor in Phase II. Next up will be Bali and, if necessary, Makassar.

The goal here is to quickly isolate Java from Oz and facilitate a move on Java as soon as Singers falls. We minimize early invasions in order to maximize cover and quickly establish air and thus naval superiority. Then we can clean up the rest in a lower threat environment.

The real fun of the initial plan actually occurs elsewhere, but that bit will have to stay "in the shades," as GreyJoy would say.

[Cribtop]

December 8, 1941

A silly mistake costs us some bombers.

Subs

Busy day. I-124, fresh from dropping mines, misses big xAP President Madison near Bataan then duds on an xAKL. I-157 torpedoes another xAP near Port Blair. I-123 guns an xAKL near Cebu, then guns and torpedoes another. I-5 misses a DD in an obvious ASW TF near San Francisco. RO-34 gets a torp into President Madison near Lubang. I-124 then sharpens her aim and sinks AM Finch near Bataan.

On the Allied side, K XI attacks the Kota Bharu cover force, being chased off once and missing a DD on the next. K XVI misses a DD in a Cruiser force prowling the Celebes Sea.

Kuriles

An FT TF is arrives at Etorofu and will load part of an Assault Division for Adak.

Pacific

KB heads due West. She is spotted by Cats but not otherwise troubled. Ryukaku still holding up.

Guam is invaded by an Assault Division and should fall easily.

Luzon

Every player has their strengths. An excellent memory and attention to detail are among mine. Thus, it is particularly frustrating that we screw up orders for the Formosa IJNAF bomber wings on the second day of the war. Ugh. We ordered big sweeps of Iba hoping to eat away the edges of CAP over Clark and Manila. No joy there but worth a try. The next event is the problem. I failed to re-set the Betty groups to halt the port attack on Manila and they go in with only 9 Zeros on escort. Over two attacks, the P-40s happily destroy about 20 bombers – in many ways it could have been worse. Some actually get through and sink two more subs.

The next mistake turns out to be beneficial. Not remembering that the recon Kates aren’t torpedo bombers, I relied on a “all in TF” click to shut off KB-3’s port attack. The three recon Kates head in, but are escorted by 29 Zeros. The Sea Eagles down 11 P-40s in the tired CAP, allowing a bit of a silver lining.

KB-3’s Vals dispatch an xAKL fleeing Luzon to the East.

Aparri is occupied.

SRA

Sweeps and bombing of Kota Bharu find no aerial opposition but do well softening up the enemy. DA Kota easily takes the base and forces 3 LCUs to retreat. Odds 7:1, casualties 1865(165) vs 42(0).

The Allies finally spot KB-4 lurking near Groote Natoena.

China

We continue bombing Hong Kong to keep forts down and marching to take it.

BA Pengpu shows raw AS a comfortable 182:45 in our favor. DA tomorrow.

[Cribtop]

December 9, 1941

In which the remnants of the Thundering Herd have a bad day.

Subs

RO-34 torpedoes and sinks an AVD near Busuanga. RO-33 sinks one xAP near Tawi Tawi and torpedoes another. I-153 torpedoes AG Gold Star twice near Donggala. I-166 is DC’d by escorts and takes a solid hit. She later engages a big TK but misses and will have to slink back home.

Salmon misses a DD in a light combat task force (LCTF in my jargon) near Laoag.

Kuriles

Loading complete, we will launch for the Aleutians tomorrow.

Pacific

KB continues west. Sailing east to meet the carriers are the Wake Invasion with an entire Assault Division and the 3 CVE TF that begins the game at Saipan. Surface cover is provided by a TF centered on the Ise and Hyuga.

DA Guam takes the base with 28:1 odds, destroying the defending base force.

Luzon

Three IJN surface task forces converge on the Sulu Sea from different directions. Two strike pay dirt.

A force with Maya, Ashigara and 2 DDs finds shipping fleeing Hong Kong. Over the course of three engagements they sink 5 xAKs and 2 xAKLs.

A more powerful unit with Myoko, Haguro, Nachi and 4 DDs hunts in the Celebes Sea and finds a target rich environment between Tawi Tawi and Jolo. First, a crack long range Long Lance attack quickly sinks AV Langley, which was traveling without escort. Over the course of three additional engagements, this TF sinks 1 xAP and 7 xAKLs.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Myoko TF has enough ammo to go after many more small groups of enemy shipping trying to hug the NE Borneo coast. We choose a snake like movement designed to catch as many as possible while presenting a moving target for Allied planes and warships.

We sent the former Aparri cover TF, a group of CLs and DDs, on a circuitous route designed to catch enemy PT boats spotted awaiting an invasion that won’t come to Vigan and San Fernando. Four separate combats lead to 6 PTs sunk and 1 damaged for no loss to the IJN.

Calayan is occupied by rowboat.

In the air, a big Zero group sweeps Clark. Losses are about 7:1 in our favor and the P-40 whittling process is proceeding apace.

SRA

Japanese bombers launch unopposed attacks on the Kuantan airfield and on ground troops at Alor Star (hoping to amass cheap hits against troops in strat mode).

The Kuantan invasion’s first wave will go in tomorrow, supported by LRCAP from Kota Bharu, from KB-4 and by several SCTFs. No idea whether the Allied fleets will appear, no sign of them so far.

China

Bombing of Hong Kong continues as the first IJA forces arrive in hex. Waiting on a straggler before commencing the attack.

DA Pengpu forces a KMT unit to retreat with 30:1 odds, casualties 575(39) vs 25(0).

Elsewhere, our two pronged offensive is starting to move into position to jump off.

Construction

Toyohara, Fusan & Kota Bharu all go to forts 1.

[Cribtop]

Just ran Dec 10 replay. Very long, VERY sanguinary!

One IJNAF pilot takes on 17 P-40s and lives!

One Japanese invasion gets the troops ashore but then gets cut up!

Massive naval and air carnage! Possible sinking of That Damn Boise!

It's too late to post results (and my batteries are low anyway). Full update tomorrow.

[Cribtop]

December 10, 1941

I experimented with using geographical AOs rather than the Imperial HQs as I did last AAR. I am reverting the reporting by HQ as it makes more sense to me.

Subs

RO-34 torpedoes and sinks SS Sculpin near Tawi Tawi, the new Ironbottom Sound. Lots of Allied subs have been destroyed this week, as was the plan. In a powerful display of dogged incompetence, I-153 uses all her torpedoes and a few shells to finally sink an xAP over the course of 3 attacks near the northern entrance to the Makassar Strait. I-175 misses a DMS in an ASW TF SW of Pearl.

K XIII attempts to interfere with the Kuantan landings but is chased off, then misses a DD and CL Suzuya, then is struck with a penetrating DC hit by ASW assets. K XIV misses a TB in the Miri invasion. Swordfish misses a PB near Takao.

5th Fleet

Pickets are now in place to cover the FT TF invasion of Adak.

4th Fleet

KB 1 & 2 are closing on Wake from the east, the invasion force is closing from the west.

SE Fleet

We are preparing to ship significant forces to Truk for operations in New Britain and the Solomons once KB is ready.

14th Army

A night port attack by one Betty group doesn’t achieve much but is designed to keep Michael honest.

We have a big Zero group sweep Manila but once again a small 5 plane unit goes in first due to co-ordination issues. 4 Zeros are shot down or forced to flee. The last plane, flown by instant war hero Ensign Noshiro, fights an uneven contest against as many as 17 P-40Es. He shoots down one foe, damages two more, and finally leaves only when his ammo is exhausted. Banzai!

More importantly, the big Zero group then comes in and shatters the CAP with a loss ratio of 12:0. Total Air losses for the day are 32:13 in Japan’s favor. Air superiority over Manila will soon be established.

Immense surface battles rage near Tawau and Tawi Tawi. The Myoko TF sinks 1 PG, 1 xAK, and 9 xAKL in four engagements. The Maya TF sinks 2 xAKLs near Culion. The big event is that a new entry into the fray, centered on four Atago cruisers and several DDs, engages an Allied TF headed up by super CLs Boise and Dallas. Unfortunately they meet in the day, so hordes of IJN torps are fired at long range and miss. Boise takes numerous cruiser shell hits but most seem to be superstructure rather than penetrating. Return fire usually bounces off the thick armor of the IJN heavies. After a long engagement, both sides break off. Boise shows heavy fires and heavy damage and 2 USN DDs are hit hard enough to perhaps sink. DD Arashio is damaged badly enough to split into an Escort TF. Cribtop Intel is intrigued to see five Seagulls lost on the ground for no known reason. Did Boise sink?

The upshot of all of this is that the Atago TF is low on ammo and torpedoes, as is the Myoko TF. Both will need to retire and thus the Thundering Herd reaping is probably over.

Except for the fact that KB-3 is still lurking east of the Philippines. It appears that Michael had many of the high value ships in the herd slip into the central islands to hide for a day. They are right under the sights of KB-3 and numerous strikes hammer them. 2 Tankers, 1 xAP, 2 xAKs, and 3 xAKLs sink. Also, an AS and an AO are hit hard and probably in sinking condition.

Itbabayat is occupied. Batan Island goes to forts 1.

25th Army

We violated the rule of cover and try to sneak in the Miri invasion, mostly in order to capture a gas station to support fleet Ops. We sneak in and land successfully but don’t sneak out. Two UK light cruisers intercept the invasion force and slaughter it to the last ship. Painful reminder that you must cover invasions against a good opponent. Losses are 1 TB, 3 Adens and an APD. That last ship hurts a bit as I like APDs, but the losses are acceptable. All troops are ashore and Miri should fall next turn.

The Kuantan invasions go very well and 99% of the troops and supplies are ashore. That invasion bonus thing sure helps!

China

Still marching and railing into position for the northern offensives. The troops arrive at Hong Kong and will DA tomorrow.

Canton goes to forts 2.

[Cribtop]

December 11, 1941

In which two iconic ships are confirmed sunk.

Subs

I-168 has Queen Elizabeth in her sights near Pago Pago but misses. Not surprising given QE’s speed, but we are sure she was full of troops. Argh! An I-boat whose number I forgot to write down torpedoes and sinks the ungainly ARD Soerabaja near Pamekasan. Nice.

S-36 tries to interfere with landings at Legaspi but is chased off. KB-3 planes were set in part to ASW today to keep sub DLs high. Michael clearly likes to “camp” likely invasion spots and we can nullify this tactic by keeping the subs spotted.

5th Fleet

One of the Adak pickets is an AV watching the southern approaches to the Kuriles. Today a Pete from that ship claims to spot 9 Allied ships heading west at 14 knots. A sub or a raiding group? Or nothing? Hmm. There is no green ship icon on the map.

4th Fleet

KB1&2 will be in range of Wake tomorrow. CVL Ryukaku drops 3 flooding points from 23 to 20. We are still under observation from Midway Cats but should leave the air envelope tomorrow.

14th Army

We immediately find ourselves in a sharp fight with CA Chicago, Houston and escorting DDs against the Atago TF. This is not good as we are low on ammo and torps, and the enemy crosses the T. In a short and sharp close range fight, DD Hibiki is slowed by a shell and then sunk by a torpedo. My sincere apologies to former opponent Cuttlefish on losing this proud ship. Other than that we disengage successfully and all cruiser TFs head for and even almost reach Cam Ranh Bay. Even damaged DD Arashio gets her fires out and moves at over 20 knots to almost get home. By e-mail, Michael confirms that CL Boise sank after the surface engagement on the 10th. Two warrior vessels are thus no more less than a week in.

Taking stock from this series of engagements, we lost a DD, suffered heavy damage to another, and took really surprisingly little damage to the CAs in exchange for lots of merchants, CL Boise, and 2 USN DDs. Not bad. Still, several Japanese CAs will require TLC at a time of the war when we could use their services. Cribtop HQ believes five of the nine CAs here will be ready for action again within the week. The rest will take longer but aren’t too bad due to the lack of major damage.

The night phase ends with several Allied sinking sounds. Who knows what that was but most likely the AO and AS hit yesterday by KB-3.

A big sweep of Manila finds no CAP.

Legaspi is invaded and all troops are ashore in good order. We chose to go ahead and do Legaspi in order to speed up getting Luzon’s defenders locked up in sieges and because it was the quickest way to get the troops ashore in order to release KB-3 for operations in 16th Army AO.

DA at Tugegaro takes the empty base. Aparri goes to forts 1.

25th Army

The marooned Miri invasion takes the base with 21:1 odds, 1 enemy LCU retreated and casualties 56(2) to nil. Facilities only suffer 1 point of damage and thus are at 149(151). The gas station sign here is flipped to “open.”

DA Kuantan takes the base with 9:1 odds, retreating 3 enemy LCUs, casualties 1633(216) vs nil. Every long range transport in Indochina will now be ordered to fly 3rd Air Division HQ into this base. Time to control the skies over Singapore and adjacent waters to facilitate the attack on Palembang.

China

DA Hong Kong goes well for a first attack. Forts drop to 2, odds 1:1, casualties a somewhat annoying 408(2) vs 1054(10). Looks like this base will only last about 3 more attacks, call it 6 days.

Kwangchowan is occupied by long range rowboats, which is nice.

[sanch]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop
...
The marooned Miri invasion takes the base with 21:1 odds, 1 enemy LCU retreated and casualties 56(2) to nil. Facilities only suffer 1 point of damage and thus are at 149(151). The gas station sign here is flipped to “open.”
...

You'll want some fighters there as long as he has bases within 4E range (i.e. Mindanao, Java, Sumatra, Singers). Otherwise you just might find some more damage to those wonderful wells.

[Cribtop]

Very true and part of the plan, but this is the upside of me agreeing to no strat bombing until July of '43. Those wells are protected by the "Iron Dome" of Michael's honor. [:D]

[Mike Solli]

Hey Cribtop, I decided to follow an AAR and your name caught my eye. I'm on page 1, post 1. I'll catch up. [:D] Looking forward to this!

Edit: I'm a Browns fan. What's that tell you?

[Cribtop]

MIKE!! Welcome back and welcome aboard.

A Browns fan. Wow. Pain is just weakness leaving the body, eh? Cowboys fans are starting to feel you at this point. Ugh.

[Cribtop]

December 12, 1941

Subs

KXI, XII and XVII all try their luck against the transports or warships at Kuantan. All are seen off and K XI takes a penetrating DC hit.

4th Fleet

KB 1&2 move into range of Wake and Zeros sweep the CAP into oblivion. Between 7 and 11 Wildcats are shot down. A PM strike by KB Kates against the airfield accomplishes little, but air superiority over the target was the point of the exercise. The invasion fleet is two days out to the west. CVL Ryukaku is down to 18 float damage, the level of major damage caused by the torpedo.

SE Fleet

Truk is now crowded with troops awaiting cover from KB to begin the offensive here.

14th Army

Legaspi falls and the entire second wave comes ashore. This will allow re-combination of 16th Division and will also let KB-3 return to Babel in anticipation of the attack on Ceram. Air HQs load at Takao for 16th Army AO and the Zeros and IJNAF bombers begin to shift fronts. Luzon will be left to the IJAAF. However, Cribtop HQ is well aware that Michael stopped fighting for the air here before all his fighters were destroyed. We are sure he has P-40s squirreled away somewhere waiting to pounce once we stop escorting bombers. We will try to plan a trap to deal with this.

Tuguegaro hits forts 1.

25th Army

Unloading and marching continues at Kuantan. We hit a snag as transports can’t airlift the 3rd Air Division into the base, so ships load the HQ for a quick run in. This will cost us 3-4 days, however.

Langkawi occupied by rowboat.

Burma

We are marching on a secret location near the border with the intention of quickly subduing Rangoon and cutting supply to China. Here (and in China) the gnarly roads mod we are using shows its teeth as units move more slowly than in stock over CBI roads, especially poor roads in bad terrain. This is realistic and will help us to defend Burma in the future, however.

China

An opportunistic attack in the hex SW of Nanchang hammers a retreating KMT corps, odds 41:1, casualties 1744(164) vs 138(1).

We hit Hong Kong with everything that can fly and then try another DA. Odds are 1:2, but the purpose is achieved as forts drop to 1. Casualties are 450(29) vs 1170(3). We will take a day off to recover DIS and then keep up the pressure. 38th Division is still in great shape.

[Cribtop]

December 13, 1941

Subs

K XII misses a DD watching over the fleet unloading at Kuantan.

Something Allied sinks during the turn.

4th Fleet

Air raids by LBA and by Kates crush Wake Island. No CAP resists and we believe there are at most 2 Wildcats left on the island. Invasion fleet is 1 day out, so landings are anticipated on the 15th to deal with the atoll rules. We plan to send a new toy into the pre-invasion bombardment and will give you a little feature about the ship at that time.

14th Army

Another wave of troops approaches Aparri.

Most air raids are scrubbed by storms, but a sweep of Manila finds no CAP.

Laoag occupied by rowboat.

25th Army

One more day should see everything unloaded at Kuantan. We have air and naval cover present and are a bit surprised Michael didn’t try to intervene.

DD Arashio makes Cam Ranh Bay and begins repairs.

China

DA 88, 50 (near Hwainan) catches an isolated KMT corps that was trying to march into guerilla positions in wooded rough. They are instead forced to retreat into the open plain and will be hounded. Odds 17:1, casualties 1605(126) vs 304(2).

Home Islands

The HQ elements of 9th Air Fleet begin the game at 25-50% strength. We moved them to Tokyo to accept replacements and the Air HQs are almost filled out. They will move to various points in 5th Fleet and SE Fleet AOs.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Let's leave the strategy discussion open while we move to another question: R&D.

As I understand it, the A6M4 is a land-based IJNAF interceptor of some value in this mod.

My general R&D plan is to pursue the Zero, Tojo, Frank and George lines pretty heavily. Lesser but useful emphasis to the Jill and Judy. Finally, just for fun I'd like to put a factory or two working on the Sam. For the IJAAF, the Helen will be the main weapon, with the Peggy researched as well. This area is not my strong suit, so please jump in with advice.

I'm still way behind Cribtop, but man oh man did you open yourself up here. You're going to get all kinds of wild talk about the nuances of planes. It makes me crazy. [:D]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

You'll get Jill and Judy earlier. The M4 Zero is a solid performer who can stay competitive into 1943, however, it is only used for LBA. Concur on Mister SAM. Good plane there.

As to Michael--a few tidbits--he:

1. Always places a Marine Fighter Squadron on his CVs so they pack 45 or so fighters EACH.
2. He loves to combine the Brits and Americans to create an Allied 'Death Star' way early.
3. Training his pilots so they can compete is a big thing so sometimes he won't even fight early in the war in the air.

To help counter #2 a bit I always allocate 8-12 fleet subs to precede KB. Good recon and they occasionally get lucky. Also, when the battle starts, I put some of the subs to the east of the Allies. They can pick off cripples that way.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Cribtop

Good info gents. How many factories should be allocated to a plane I "want?" 3X30? More?

I like 6x30. If you have 500+ of the engine in the pool, that 12% per day. That nets you 3.6 months advancement per month of game time.