Awakening of the Sheep! - JocMeister (A) vs. Richard III (J)

[KenchiSulla]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Nope, but my relationships are never like that. We just moved into a new place and the decision-making is pretty even. Some things I care more about, some things she cares more about. This whole "the woman's the boss of the house" thing is alien to me.

I guess jokes doesn´t always carry over the internet very well...

I think he is lying Joc.. Or she is watching him type...

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder
I think he is lying Joc.. Or she is watching him type...

Oh! Of course! [X(]

[Lowpe]

Any new strategy for China?

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Any new strategy for China?

Basically no. [:)]

I played my best China against Tom so I´ll try to do more or less the same thing this time around. I learned some good lessons regarding where to put up my roadblocks and where to send more troops early on.

Other then that I hope the lack of siege arty and tank armies (only 2 tank RGTs per hex allowed in China) will give me a bit more staying power. I still expect to lose China before 42 is up though. Supply will run out in April as usual and I can´t do anything about that. But perhaps I can buy a month or two before things collapse.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]18th-19th December 1941[/font]
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Overall a good day. Air war is currently going my way. [:)] Richard and I are still trying to work out the timing on the turns. As he is located on the EC there is a 6 hour difference. We did manage to get 3 turns done yesterday.

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DEI
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Troops unloading at PB! Sadly my "big" strike from Batavia rain in and only smaller units flying from PB itself take off. Theses are chewed up by LRCAP.

]Morning Air attack on TF, near Palembang at 48,91

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 16

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 6

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 4 destroyed

Japanese landing isn´t completely loss free though. I had reinforced the minefield a couple of turns ago.

TF 90 encounters mine field at Palembang (48,91) - Coastal Guns Fire Back!

10 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
DMS W-14, Shell hits 2, on fire
DMS W-13, Shell hits 5, heavy fires
DD Tachikaze
APD Nadakaze
CA Suzuya, Mine hits 1

Palembang ML Base Force firing at DMS W-14
DMS W-14 firing at Palembang ML Base Force
Palembang ML Base Force firing at DMS W-13
DMS W-13 firing at Palembang ML Base Force
10 mines cleared

The opportunity is lost now and the bombers are stood down for next turn. I did sense an opportunity elsewhere as massive sweeps hit PB. Moved in all remaining Buffs into Singers and on the 19th... [:)]

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 36 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 10 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 23

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 11 destroyed, 3 damaged
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

Morning Air attack on Singapore , at 50,84

Weather in hex: Thunderstorms

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 24,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 5 minutes

Japanese aircraft
Ki-21-IIa Sally x 18

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 28

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-21-IIa Sally: 4 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Runway hits 1

An extremely good day. 37 Japanese planes are destroyed for only 2 allied losses. [:)]

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SOPAC
------------------------
HMAS Adelaide get in among the ships unloading at Kavieng. Despite the TF unloading at the docks Kashima gives the Adelaide a thorough ass whooping. [:(]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 106,122, Range 2,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 2
xAKL Tomozono Maru #3
PB Choko Maru #2
PB Keijo Maru
PB Nikkai Maru
PB Tama Maru #8
PB Shonon Maru #15
xAK Shinwa Maru
xAKL Taiyu Maru

Allied Ships
CL Adelaide, Shell hits 8, Torpedo hits 1, on fire

Allied Ships Reported to be Approaching!
Japanese TF suspends unloading operations and begins to get underway

The Adelaide should make it back to safety unless attacked tomorrow.

The Japanese land and secure Ocean Island. Kicking myself for not sending at least a small TF to the area.

Ground combat at Ocean Island (130,130)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 296 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 3

Defending force 127 troops, 2 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1

Japanese adjusted assault: 2

Allied adjusted defense: 1

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

Japanese forces CAPTURE Ocean Island !!!

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

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

Allied ground losses:
186 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 7 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister


An extremely good day. 37 Japanese planes are destroyed for only 2 allied losses. [:)]

The best thing here is that you have those kills for your pilots. I was extremely conscious and careful not to let this kind of things happen in our game and you still got to the bombers a good number of times. The more often you can do this early, the better mid-42 will go even though you've still only got P-40E and Hurris.

If you can sneak something like one of the AVG groups into China early and do this a few times it really hurts the Japanese there. Although it seems airframes are endless for them, in the beginning there is actually a shortage until production ramps up. So if you take out 20 2E that's 20 out for a month, potentially, and also another Sentai of decent fighters (not the Nates) that has to be brought in to protect them. If he's using the Nates at all that's good to as the pilots in them are good to start, and being in a Nate it's pretty easy to go KIA. [;)]

[KenchiSulla]

If you are planning to use your bombers offensively (and sometimes decisively) you'll have to accept the occasional disaster.. Simple as that. It happens on both sides but usually the Japanese suffer more, being fragile and squishy.... Ofcourse you know this already..

One of the hardest things to learn in this game is when to use your aircraft and when to stand them down (especially as the allied, due to limits on replacements). So many times I see perfectly good aircraft thrown away over the course of a few weeks for a target that does not matter at all.... Singapore however is a target that makes a lot of sense. One more reason for him to keep at least part of KB close by so elite zeroes can "take care" (haha) of the Buffalo "problem".... until LBA is in effective sweep range...

[topeverest]

This is common in early war night combat. American ships need a combat to get experience up. next one should be good.

I'd keep doing this kind of thing though.

ORIGINAL: JocMeister


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Had hoped for better...next time? [:)]

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DEI
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I managed to sneak Houston/Boise into range of the Manado invasion. A very bleak allied performance followed...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Manado at 75,99, Range 12,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CL Nagara, Shell hits 1
DD Yamakaze
DD Kawakaze
DD Umikaze
DD Suzukaze, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Shiokaze

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CL Boise, Shell hits 2
DD Alden
DD Edsall
DD John D. Edwards
DD John D. Ford
DD Whipple
DD Peary
DD Pillsbury
DD Pope

The allied TF expands all its ammo hitting nothing and withdraws towards Balikpapan. Only positive things is we escaped safely!

[paullus99]

Well, since they expended their ammo on everywhere but where the enemy was, next time all they have to do is shoot where they didn't last time....guaranteed hit every time, right?

[Encircled]

But thats what they will be expecting....so we'll just do exactly the same thing again

[ny59giants]

Moving Fuel - ALL transports leaving India for Aden and Cape Town carry FUEL for almost the first six months!! Aden is at high risk of running out of fuel unless you do this. The very large TKs leaving Abadan for Cape Town and eventually USA will leave loaded. Some will detour briefly to Aden. Those large TKs in greater India will head to Abadan to load up. I use my fast dual capacity xAKs to carry fuel. Many go to bases in Eastern Pacific.

Just a friendly reminder Jocke. [;)]

[JocMeister]

Sorry for the lack of updates (again [:(]) Got hit with some nasty flu last night and is pretty much bedridden. Did get two turns off to Richard so we are moving along.

Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and can get an update up.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Sorry for the lack of updates (again [:(]) Got hit with some nasty flu last night and is pretty much bedridden. Did get two turns off to Richard so we are moving along.

Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and can get an update up.

Sorry to hear you are sick .... say, you haven't been sharing libations with Liberians have you?! [X(]

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
Sorry to hear you are sick .... say, you haven't been sharing libations with Liberians have you?! [X(]

Funny man! [:D]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Sorry for the lack of updates (again [:(]) Got hit with some nasty flu last night and is pretty much bedridden. Did get two turns off to Richard so we are moving along.

Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and can get an update up.

Sorry to hear you are sick .... say, you haven't been sharing libations with Liberians have you?! [X(]

Out watching NFL football on Sunday I met a Marine who'd been posted at the embassy in Monrovia. We bought him several drinks and heard some stories about the place. He said it's about the worst place for this kind of outbreak, and he's not surprised it's gotten bad there. Luckily he'd gotten out before it happened. Crazy stuff.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]20th-22th December 1941[/font]
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Some worrying news from China. Then again I guess all news from China is bad news... [:)]

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DEI
------------------------
Finally rediscovered the KB! Its in the middle of the SCS moving due East. Where the heck have they been? Meanwhile Richard secure Miri and Brunei. He still havn´t moved on Singer but bombings are keeping the forts suppressed.

Palembang is still in allied hands after 2 attacks but a constant stream of Japanese reinforcements are coming in.

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 3691 troops, 40 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 110

Defending force 3011 troops, 35 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 65

Japanese adjusted assault: 52

Allied adjusted defense: 37

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 0

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

Japanese ground losses:
100 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
137 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 8 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disable

I´ve also spotted what is possible a invasion force going for Balikpapan.

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CENTPAC
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Japanese land on Tarawa. Another unguarded invasion. Richard certainly caught me off guard with these lightning fast invasions. Dangerous but it worked for him.

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SOPAC
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Japanese continue to unload at Kavieing. Adelaide is out of harms way but Australia and Canberra will try and strike at the TF there tomorrow. Fingers crossed... [:)]

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China
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Separate update on China coming later today!

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]China 22nd December -41[/font]
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Here is the situation.

Only positive thing is this:

Ground combat at Ichang (83,48)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 5858 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 224

Defending force 22416 troops, 76 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 719

Japanese adjusted assault: 0 [:'(]

Allied adjusted defense: 419

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 99 (fort level 3)

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

Japanese ground losses:
3082 casualties reported
Squads: 139 destroyed, 92 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 80 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 9 (4 destroyed, 5 disabled)

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

Assaulting units:
11th RGC Temp. Division
13th RGC Temp. Division

Defending units:
68th Chinese Corps
75th Chinese Corps

Right now I´m mostly worried about the attack towards Sian on the Eastern approaches. Most likely Richard has the 41st and 37th ID here as they start very close by. Despite me sending everything I had in the area on T1 to this road I doubt there is enough to stop an assault here.

I do hope to get a 900 AV roadblock in place in the WR hex to the west of the current roadblock. But that means the retreating troops will have to pass through the roadblock causing overstack and loss of all supply...But I guess I have to eat that.

Richard seem to have adopted a different approach from what Tom did. Instead of attacking in small concentrated corridors like Tom did Richard seem to prefer advancing all over the map. Same goes for his bombings. They are so erratic in China its impossible to try and intercept anything. While this might help my ground troops a bit it also makes sure Richard won´t lose any planes to Allied ambushes.

Here is the map.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]23rd December 1941[/font]
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A good day for the allies!

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DEI
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Palembang surrenders to the enemy!

Ground combat at Palembang (48,91)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3669 troops, 40 guns, 2 vehicles, Assault Value = 231

Defending force 2809 troops, 32 guns, 5 vehicles, Assault Value = 57

Japanese adjusted assault: 48

Allied adjusted defense: 13

Japanese assault odds: 3 to 1 (fort level 0)

Japanese forces CAPTURE Palembang !!!

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

Japanese ground losses:
162 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 11 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1212 casualties reported
Squads: 42 destroyed, 13 disabled
Non Combat: 25 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 10 (9 destroyed, 1 disabled)
Vehicles lost 2 (2 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units retreated 4

A MSW previously hit and damaged tried to link back to port.

Sub attack near Singkep at 50,88

Japanese Ships
DMS W-13, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DMS W-14

Allied Ships
SS KXVII

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SOPAC
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The Canberra/Australia TFs finds the enemy and wreck havoc among the ships! This time Kashima is badly outgunned and after being hit by three 8 inch hits from Australia in the first volley she never responds to the fire. [&o]

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 106,122, Range 5,000 Yards

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
E7K2 Alf: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
CL Kashima, Shell hits 24, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Tomozono Maru #3, Shell hits 2
PB Choko Maru #2, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
PB Keijo Maru, Shell hits 11, and is sunk
PB Nikkai Maru, Shell hits 4, on fire
PB Tama Maru #8, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
PB Shonon Maru #15, Shell hits 4, and is sunk
xAK Shinwa Maru, Shell hits 18, and is sunk
xAKL Taiyu Maru, Shell hits 4, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Perth
DD Stuart
DD Voyager
DD Le Triomphant[

The TF fins another target and quickly send the ships to the bottom with the Japanese troops they were carrying!

Night Time Surface Combat, near Kavieng at 106,122, Range 4,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
xAK Nittai Maru, Shell hits 29, and is sunk
xAK Shinkoku Maru, Shell hits 3, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Ujigawa Maru, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
xAKL Heiwa Maru, Shell hits 10, and is sunk

Allied Ships
CA Australia
CA Canberra
CL Leander
CL Achilles
CL Perth, Shell hits 1
DD Stuart
DD Voyager
DD Le Triomphant

Japanese ground losses:
1022 casualties reported
Squads: 21 destroyed, 5 disabled
Non Combat: 27 destroyed, 27 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 8 (7 destroyed, 1 disabled)

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China
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My fears come through regarding the eastern approach to Sian.

Ground combat at 88,41 (near Kaoping)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 11613 troops, 127 guns, 4 vehicles, Assault Value = 718

Defending force 22641 troops, 125 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 537

Assaulting units:
41st Division
15th Tank Regiment
37th Division
5th Armored Car Co
6th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
33rd Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
34th Chinese Corps
7th Group Army

My troops have gotten the forts up to level 1 but I don´t think I can hold him here for long.

2 very good Corps are cut of south of Changsha. I don´t have much intel besides "1 unit" but I ordered an attack for tomorrow. Its a clear hex and I set the bombers lose...perhaps...

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Location of the attack[/font]
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[obvert]

Nice hit in So Pac. Japan can't have the KB everywhere, so keep taking advantage while you know where it is!