Jorge's(A) crusade to the fabled kingdom of PresterJohn(J) DBB-C --- Allied AAR

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I don't think it is possible to stop a Japanese invasion. Reinforcements can delay it. But, as you can see, Steve has around:
- 6 inf divisions + TKs + ART in Singapore
- 3.5 inf divisions + TKs + ART at Clark
- 1 division assaulting Java this turn

Java starts with few, poor quality troops and almost no engineers (DBB-C), there are multiple potential beaches good for invasions, he has significant air superiority. There are few, if any, good reinforcements received so far (mid January). Moreover, Java is an island; thus as soon as he controls the sea and air around it, nothing gets in or out. Any reinforcement sent will weaken somewhere else

[Jorge_Stanbury]

After a succesful para drop on Semarang, this turn he disembarked in Cheribon:



AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR Jan 18, 42
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Invasion Support action off Cheribon (51,100)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

3 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Sydney Maru, on fire
APD Tade
SC Ch 23
SC Ch 22

180mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Sydney Maru at 10,000 yards
SC Ch 23 fired at enemy guns
SC Ch 22 fired at enemy guns

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invasion Support action off Cheribon (51,100)
Defensive Guns engage approaching landing force

5 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.

Japanese Ships
xAK Seattle Maru, Shell hits 3, heavy fires
APD Tade
SC Ch 23
SC Ch 22

180mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Seattle Maru at 9,000 yards
APD Tade firing to suppress enemy battery at 9,000 yards
75mm CD Gun Battery engaging xAK Seattle Maru at 9,000 yards
APD Tade firing to suppress enemy battery at 9,000 yards
SC Ch 23 fired at enemy guns
SC Ch 22 fired at enemy guns


My coastal guns did some minor damage, meanwhile my MTB got mopped out by a BB TF:


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Day Time Surface Combat, near Semarang at 53,101, Range 21,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
BB Haruna
CA Suzuya
DD Arashio
DD Minazuki
DD Harukaze
DD Hatakaze

Allied Ships
TM-6, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-7, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-8
TM-9, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-10, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-11
TM-12, Shell hits 1, and is sunk
TM-13
TM-14, Shell hits 1, and is sunk



On the air, I had multiple attempts to nav bomb his fleet; too costly as I got 1 APD and 1 AK on fire for a very significant cost in airframes




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Morning Air attack on TF, near Cheribon at 51,100

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 4 NM, estimated altitude 5,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 9

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 5 destroyed

Japanese Ships
APD Tade, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AK Kyushu Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
9 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(1 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
2 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 1000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 160 minutes
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (8 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
8 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 7035.
Raid is overhead



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morning Air attack on TF, near Cheribon at 51,100

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 1 NM, estimated altitude 4,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 0 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 11

Allied aircraft
139WH-3 x 8

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
139WH-3: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Asosan Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
AK Sado Maru

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x 139WH-3 bombing from 1000 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 300 kg SAP Bomb

CAP engaged:
3rd Ku S-1 with A6M2 Zero (4 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
(4 plane(s) diverted to support CAP in hex.)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
6 plane(s) not yet engaged, 0 being recalled, 0 out of immediate contact.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 1000 and 15000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 68 minutes
Yamada Det S-2 with A6M2 Zero (1 airborne, 0 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters between 0 and 15000.
Raid is overhead

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Last update of the turn:
Darwin was raided by KB-1:
Nothing of significance lost


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Afternoon Air attack on Darwin , at 76,124

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid detected at 116 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 43 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 52
B5N2 Kate x 26
D3A1 Val x 41

Japanese aircraft losses
B5N2 Kate: 16 damaged
B5N2 Kate: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A1 Val: 9 damaged
D3A1 Val: 1 destroyed by flak

Allied Ships
TK Josefina, Bomb hits 6, and is sunk
AGP Eridanus, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CM Krakatau, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
CMc Soemenep, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AD Black Hawk, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AVD Childs, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMc Gunbar, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
AS Platypus, Bomb hits 2
CMc Bangkalen, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk
xAKL Wollongbar, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMc Beryl, Bomb hits 1, and is sunk

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

Port hits 4
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
12 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
23 x B5N2 Kate bombing from 1000 feet
Port Attack: 2 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
1 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
7 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 1000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 10000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Port Attack: 1 x 250 kg GP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring TK Josefina
Also attacking Darwin ...
Massive explosion on AGP Eridanus
Also attacking Darwin ...
Also attacking Darwin ...
Also attacking Darwin ...
Also attacking Darwin ...

By the way, this is the situation on Java

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Jan 19 was a slow turn; with not a lot to report

Highlights:

subwar:
- AO Cuyama torpedoed; he was able to make to port (SFran), althought fire damage is high, if it doesn't sink next turn, then it will be fine
- xAK Akagisan Maru torpedoed and sunk [:)]

Java:
CAP trap over Soerabaja: Dutch Buffaloes feasted on Betties: [:D]
Morning Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 56,104

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid spotted at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 13

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 12

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 7 destroyed, 2 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
HDML P 5

Aircraft Attacking:
3 x G4M1 Betty launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
1-VI.G.V with B-339D (4 airborne, 8 on standby, 0 scrambling)
4 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 23 minutes



and Nells:
Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Soerabaja at 56,104

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid detected at 20 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
G3M2 Nell x 12

Allied aircraft
B-339D x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G3M2 Nell: 1 destroyed, 3 damaged

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
HDML P 5, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
HDML P 7
HDML P 6, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
HDML P 8
HDML P 21, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
8 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp
2 x G3M2 Nell launching torpedoes at 200 feet
Naval Attack: 1 x 45cm Type 91 Torp

CAP engaged:
1-VI.G.V with B-339D (1 airborne, 4 on standby, 0 scrambling)
1 plane(s) intercepting now.
Group patrol altitude is 15000 , scrambling fighters to 6000.
Time for all group planes to reach interception is 25 minutes

Australia:
Raid near Darwin:
Morning Air attack on TF, near Darwin at 76,124

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 61 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 20
D3A1 Val x 9

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 1 damaged

Allied Ships
xAK Mathew Luckenbach, Bomb hits 4, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Lena Luckenbach, Bomb hits 1, on fire

Aircraft Attacking:
4 x D3A1 Val releasing from 3000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb
5 x D3A1 Val releasing from 2000'
Naval Attack: 1 x 250 kg SAP Bomb

Heavy smoke from fires obscuring xAK Mathew Luckenbach

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Interesting tracker reports:

Amchitka Island: Airfield expanded Now level 1
He took Armchitka island in early December; afterwards I sent around 4 SS to patrol it. They haven't seen any reinforcement, so it might be that he unloaded engineers and lots of supplies on that assault. What is clear is that he is interested in the theater, thus I need to speed up my own constructions and fortifications. The Aleutians are secondary, but still, I don't want to give them for free.


DD Hatsuyuki Enemy ship sunk by 6in/50 BL Mk XXIII at 51,82 near Mersing
What is interesting here is that I don't have this on the game's sunk ship list. Moreover, there has been no battles near Mersing in a long time. Is this FOW? maybe a damaged ship from one of the earlier battles got sunk?
EDIT: In post #27 (1st page). Hatsuyuki was hit 10 times on my 1st Mersing battle (Dec 9th).. so maybe it did sink afterwards?

[BBfanboy]

It is possible that the DD was holed up in a small port repairing as much damage as it could and then set out to try and reach Saigon's shipyard, only to have catastrophic flooding.

It is more likely that the Intel boys saw her call sign in an intercept and made up a story to go with it. This is called Smog of War, when the Intel boys blow smoke. I suppose you could even call it Smaug of War. [:D]

[IdahoNYer]

Nothing of significance lost

AGPs, AS and AD aren't insignificant for the Allies in '42. Be careful - You just don't have that many. Especially AGPs if you want to use PTs effectively.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I agree on ADs and AS; AGPs can be converted from regular AKs so I am not that worried

Darwin's AGP did sink afterwards, the AD and the AS were not seriously damaged and they will leave south as soon as KB-1 leaves

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I agree on ADs and AS; AGPs can be converted from regular AKs so I am not that worried

Darwin's AGP did sink afterwards, the AD and the AS were not seriously damaged and they will leave south as soon as KB-1 leaves

I believe you are incorrect.

I have played many games as Allies and have never found AKs or xAKs that can convert to AGPs.

There are a plethora of xAKs that can convert to AGs.

The AGPs are a rare commodity early and as such should be conserved.

The Americans get more later as reinforcements, but I can not recall ever finding any, or at least many, that can be had through conversion.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I will check tonight; maybe I misread something.

I know I have a ton of AGs,

[IdahoNYer]

Hans Bolter beat me too it - I was just going to ask "WHAT AKs convert to AGPs? - that's gold!"

[HansBolter]

Mulling it over I do seem to recall one or two other auxillieries that can convert to an AGP. I think they/it may be a Dutch one.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Mulling it over I do seem to recall one or two other auxillieries that can convert to an AGP. I think they/it may be a Dutch one.

Great memory there Hans! I checked and the three Dutch PCs Tydeman, Zeeman and Formalhaut can convert to AGPs.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I checked:

and I can build 3 more only:
2 Formalhaust and 1 Krakatau CM

the other ones where either lost or already converted

so certainly not a lot; I mistook ships allowed to change to AG... in that case there are many, not so for AGP

[IdahoNYer]

Great memory there Hans! I checked and the three Dutch PCs Tydeman, Zeeman and Formalhaut can convert to AGPs.

Awesome info guys! Amazing how much I still LEARN on this forum!!

thx!

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I checked:

and I can build 3 more only:
2 Formalhaust and 1 Krakatau CM

the other ones where either lost or already converted

so certainly not a lot; I mistook ships allowed to change to AG... in that case there are many, not so for AGP

Not positive about it, but I think AGs and ADs are also capable of re-arming PTs with torpedoes, which makes preservation of the AGPs less critical.
Anybody know differently?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

No, I don't think so, I am positive about AGs, almost sure about ADs

I guess if I keep losing AGPs I can build more AKEs and AEs... they should have no problems rearming PT torpedoes

[Jorge_Stanbury]

British Pathe gazette newsreel :

Prince of Wales arrives to Cape Town:
After succesfully destroying multiple IJN torpedo bombers, HMS Prince of Wales returned to Cape Town for a very well deserved R&R and a paintjob

The paintjob is estimated to take around 156 days [:D]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Ri9JIxCdY

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Repulse is a walking dead.. or better to say "a sailing dead"

After a new flooding, it is now at 53 system and 88 flotation (75 major).

with 13 days to port (CT), it won't make it... so I am just waiting for it to sink as to free the 2 DDs escorting it

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

Repulse is a walking dead.. or better to say "a sailing dead"

After a new flooding, it is now at 53 system and 88 flotation (75 major).

with 13 days to port (CT), it won't make it... so I am just waiting for it to sink as to free the 2 DDs escorting it

With 2 escorts to help pump, she may surprise you. I would not consider her doomed yet. You do need good die rolls to reduce the flooding a bit during the Ship Repair steps in each turn, but with a good captain and crew they can get them.