Too much Iron in my Diet - Mundy(A) vs KenchiSulla (J)

[Mundy]

Glorious First of June '42

A squadron of USAAF B-25s has repaired up at Karachi. I've sent them to Delhi, where they just have the range to hit Patna. I received a 2-1 attack last turn, so they will probably fall soon.

I converted the P-36 unit there to P-400, since that pool was fairly full. I'm trying to piece the airpower there into concentrated groups.

I've only noticed this little ship for the first time. It should make a handy runner of goodies. I had them gathered up at Pearl.

[Sangeli]

I think you're doing well in getting Suva prepared for a possible attack. If Japan were to attack it I think it would be probably fail at this point. I think Japan is having issues with Port Moresby done cleanly and quickly and is delaying other OPs until it falls. CF seems very conservative in this regard.

[Mundy]

I agree. I don't think he brought enough to the table. My problem is that I'm out of supply there, but I'm guessing he's in the same boat. Two armies watching each other starve. I'm dealing with Betty raids on a daily basis, hitting the airfield.

Unmolested, PM would have been a major thriving base by now. CF was very aggressive killing the air that I had there. His CAP over Moresby did bag a C-47 the previous day. I only have one C-47 squadron running supplies in. His ships have been sitting about 2 hexes off the coast. I'm hoping a sub gets a lucky shot in one of these days.

I have two USMC defense battalions with the 32nd at Nadi, plus more artillery and flak. A tank battalion is there, too. It's probably slightly stronger than Suva itself, though Suva is quite a bit heavier in big guns. Supplies will probably last years at this point.

The nice thing about having Suva/Nadi beefed up is that now I can concentrate on New Zealand. Two big shiploads of troops/planes are about halfway across. I'll need to stock them with supplies, as well. I think Australia is pretty much okay as is right now. The major bases are pretty stocked with troops and aircraft. Americal's helping out watching Perth. Geraldton and Albany even have some token resistance present. One Australian division is sitting at Normanton, also. PBYs there have the waters everywhere there covered. Not much in and out of Darwin, from what I can tell. If he lands somewhere, the rail net will help me respond.

I don't know if Cannonfodder's the type to game the intel situation with false leads. So far, Townsville, Brisbane, Perth, Suva and Auckland have showed up on the intel reports. I'm guessing it may be quite a wait before the next campaign, with his ships preoccupied with Port Moresby. I'm tempted to send my carriers back to Pearl and grab the Marshalls. Wasp is due in Panama in 11 days, along with North Carolina, another Atlanta and more destroyers.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Mundy
I'm tempted to send my carriers back to Pearl and grab the Marshalls.

Even if you could do it now, I would advise against it due to the lack of being able to threaten the Japanese from multiple strategic axes. You have a decent shot at taking some bases initially but without any other distractions it will be very difficult to hold them in the long term if you cannot defeat the KB. On the other hand, if you wait until you have another strategic option for attack, you will force the Japanese to split their efforts over two areas. Even if the Japanese manage to push you back or contain you in one attack, it is likely the other attack will succeed given limited Japanese resources. Also there is the issue of using CVs to cover a landing force (as opposed to CVEs) which is always a huge risk as your opponent knows exactly where your CVs will be. Waiting until you have CVEs in the CentPac is highly advised as a result.

[Mundy]

I think I'm mostly dreaming out loud. Either way, I'm stuck on that for the time being, as a few of the units prepping need to be bought out on the West Coast. Yesterday was upgrade day the world over, and plenty of my assault transports are in the yards since then. Four BBs at Pearl are also upgrading. I am including Eniwetok in the plans, since that spot can hold a decent number of troops for the next stage. I may wind up waiting until I get the 5"/38 upgrades for a good chunk of the old ships. (starting Oct or Nov, I think). Any extra anti-air will be helpful.

Things will look a bit better when Wasp shows up with her BB-55 bomb magnet buddy.

KB's gotta be running up they sys points by now, being at sea this long. I've always wondered if that affects ops in any way. I've always been fussy about keeping my ships "clean", so I've never really pushed it. They've still been sitting two hexes off PM, sharing the hex with about three other task forces. Even if I went nuts and went at them right now, all the chaff would dilute the raid. Since my one old game, I've been conscious of that.

The RN in India lost three DDs due to withdrawals. All named with a "P". One of my carriers isn't filling out its squadron of Martlets, despite having 20+ in the pool. That's about all what's holding me back from another shot at Colombo right now. I still can't figure out the supply situation in India. The Heavy industry seems to be on strike. I have something like 1.1 million in fuel between Bombay and Karachi. Transport lines seem open, as I've been railing troops around the subcontinent. I've been maxing out the supply requests on bases everywhere.

I've also noticed a VMSB squadron is due to arrive on Lexington in a few days. Seems like an odd addition out of the blue.

I'm taking a shot at Hankow next turn. In pure AVs, I've got about 2.5-1 on him. The entire leadership in that hex has been liquidated. (I can make Uncle Joe look patient and understanding by comparison...) If I fail, I'll just have another big stalemate next to Wuchang. I'm also built up for a showdown in the hex south of Chengtu. He has a lot there, so I may not be able to attack. My bombers have been hitting them a bit lately. I'm "reconning by bombardment" right now.

[BBfanboy]

Your last game screen says you are at June 1, 1942 which means the plethora of Indian units will not have finished filling out yet. Even if you have set them to "no replacements", if there is enough supply at the base the units will start to fill out and eat away the supply you thought should accumulate. I think upgrades also eat up supply.

About the system damage on Carriers - I don't know if it affects air ops - it could reduce the speed of turnaround for planes just landing I suppose.
I'm pretty sure that on ships in surface battles it affects damage control, rate of gun fire and accuracy. I think AA performance is similarly degraded.

[Mundy]

Maybe that's part of it. I pretty much open the upgrade valves all the way. I think I'll get some mega convoys from Cape Town up and running. I can back off the constant fuel shipments for now. I should have thought of that a long time ago. [:(] Always a step behind...

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: Mundy
I'm taking a shot at Hankow next turn. In pure AVs, I've got about 2.5-1 on him. The entire leadership in that hex has been liquidated. (I can make Uncle Joe look patient and understanding by comparison...) If I fail, I'll just have another big stalemate next to Wuchang. I'm also built up for a showdown in the hex south of Chengtu. He has a lot there, so I may not be able to attack. My bombers have been hitting them a bit lately. I'm "reconning by bombardment" right now.

Well again let's not forget that Hankow is HEAVY urban terrain which is a 4x multiplier and it probably has level 3 forts. With Chinese units you probably need 10-1 AV in this hex for 5 straight days to win this battle. If you really have stopped him at Chengtu then perhaps the units committed to these extremely ambitious offensives will have time to pull back and reinforce Chungking and its surrounding areas before the Japanese can cut it off.

[Mundy]

If I can stalemate him at Chengtu, I'll be happy at this point. The Chinese breeding pits are still generating cannon fodder (no pun intended) at Chungking. He has a lot of units there, but I don't know what yet. I'll know by next turn. I still need to sack all those generals yet.

[Mundy]

03 Jun 1942

Patna falls. I'll try to get my guys back to Benares. The Chinese corps and the USA 27th are now trapped near Darjeeling. It doesn't bode well for their survival.

My attack at Hankow went nowhere, as expected. I'm strong enough to stonewall things there. There's one lone IJA unit behind me west of Wuchang. I'm pulling troops to take care of them. All the troops in Wuchang itself are trapped there, unable to leave.

If I took my sighting report seriously, there are 12 fleet carriers and three light carriers off of Port Moresby. My subs keep probing the escorts, but little more.

I've flipped another CV over to TBFs, filling half the squadron.

Quincy arrived in Panama. She'll wait for Wasp and join that group

[Mundy]

05 June 1942,

Can't let myself scroll off the page, can I?

Another pesky sub west of Karachi. He must be sending his low-ball sub commanders there, since they rarely hit anything.

Submarine attack near Karachi at 38,8

Japanese Ships
SS I-171

Allied Ships
xAK Empire Tugela

xAK Empire Tugela is sighted by SS I-171
SS I-171 launches 2 torpedoes at xAK Empire Tugela

I have one off of Palembang. As usual, dud torpedoes. This is why I don't like keeping them in shallow water. I forgot to check the damage state. I'll probably be pulling her out next turn.

Sub attack near Singkep at 50,88

Japanese Ships
TK Eiyo Maru
PB Sozan Maru

Allied Ships
SS Permit, hits 2

He's finally got troops worked up to Paoshan. Fortunately my corps got there in the nick of time. I don't see him getting any further, unless supply becomes a serious issue.

Ground combat at Paoshan (65,45)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 16331 troops, 186 guns, 54 vehicles, Assault Value = 468

Defending force 13969 troops, 50 guns, 14 vehicles, Assault Value = 311

Japanese adjusted assault: 874

Allied adjusted defense: 394

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

Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

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

Japanese ground losses:
324 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 52 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 3 disabled

Allied ground losses:
163 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 10 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 6 disabled

Assaulting units:
5th Guards Division
21st Medium Field Artillery Battalion
1st Medium Field Artillery Regiment
21st Army

Defending units:
54th Chinese Corps
NCAC
33rd Base Group

He finally summoned up the will to go at Moresby again... for little effect.

Ground combat at Port Moresby (98,130)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 12013 troops, 134 guns, 58 vehicles, Assault Value = 501

Defending force 18987 troops, 183 guns, 103 vehicles, Assault Value = 339

Japanese adjusted assault: 313

Allied adjusted defense: 363

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

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

Japanese ground losses:
743 casualties reported
Squads: 2 destroyed, 67 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled

Allied ground losses:
199 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 38 disabled
Non Combat: 8 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Guns lost 5 (1 destroyed, 4 disabled)

Assaulting units:
48th Division
23rd Nav Gd Unit
14th Army
9th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion

Defending units:
Prajoda Garrison Battalion
4th KNIL Regiment
NG Vol Rifles Battalion
Barisan KNIL Regiment
8th Australian Division
Papuan Inf Battalion
Rabaul Base Force
13th Field Regiment
15th RAN Base Force
ABDA
3rd RAAF Base Force
9th Avn Sup Afd
6th RAN Base Force
Torres Strait Battalion
49th Australian Battalion
4th Australian Lt AA Regiment

My bomber unit at Kodiak (can't remember if they were B-18s or Hudsons) upgraded to B-17s. Once they're up and running, I'll move them to Umnak (level 6 with plenty of support) and start harassing his bases.

[HansBolter]

Invested cities produce nothing for the owner.

Even if it isn't possible to take it all the Chinese have to do is move in more than he can move force back out and all production of goods from the city dry up.

Hankow should definitely be on your target list.

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter
Hankow should definitely be on your target list.

With the 4x terrain it's not a bad place to park some Chinese corps and force the Japanese to attack and push you back if they want to restart production. But I'm still of the belief that in this current situation that unless drastic measures are taken right now that Chungking will fall. Is temporarily halting of production in Hankow and Wuchang more important than holding Chungking? I understand the choice is not as simple as one vs. the other but it's important to evaluate strategic priorities and allocate troops consistent with those priorities.

[Mundy]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Invested cities produce nothing for the owner.

Even if it isn't possible to take it all the Chinese have to do is move in more than he can move force back out and all production of goods from the city dry up.

Hankow should definitely be on your target list.

I suspected that but wasn't 100% sure. I know it's been talked about before.

Any little bit...

[Mundy]

06 June 1942.

More of the same.

I notice CF's using Kates and Vals for ASW now. The subs must be getting to him.

I wonder...

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: HansBolter
Hankow should definitely be on your target list.

With the 4x terrain it's not a bad place to park some Chinese corps and force the Japanese to attack and push you back if they want to restart production. But I'm still of the belief that in this current situation that unless drastic measures are taken right now that Chungking will fall. Is temporarily halting of production in Hankow and Wuchang more important than holding Chungking? I understand the choice is not as simple as one vs. the other but it's important to evaluate strategic priorities and allocate troops consistent with those priorities.

I thought it was resource/oil production that ceased, but that industry continued if there were stockpiles to feed it?

[Sangeli]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy
I thought it was resource/oil production that ceased, but that industry continued if there were stockpiles to feed it?

On second thought I think you're right and a check to the manual seems to confirm this. I don't think resources are really a concern for Japan so the only successful way to use this strategy is against oil centers.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Sangeli

ORIGINAL: HansBolter
Hankow should definitely be on your target list.

With the 4x terrain it's not a bad place to park some Chinese corps and force the Japanese to attack and push you back if they want to restart production. But I'm still of the belief that in this current situation that unless drastic measures are taken right now that Chungking will fall. Is temporarily halting of production in Hankow and Wuchang more important than holding Chungking? I understand the choice is not as simple as one vs. the other but it's important to evaluate strategic priorities and allocate troops consistent with those priorities.

Agreed. I'm not disagreeing with you on some of these points simply to disagree. My advice has been more of a tactical and operational level addressing specific operations and their merits. I haven't been endeavoring to provide strategic advice as you are doing.

Yes, he would be better off in the battle for the plains if the force concentration at Wuchang was there. But since they are where they are and unlikely to be able to move to the plains in time to have an impact there my advice to him has been about maximizing their use where they are committed.

[Mundy]

07 June 1942

The worm turns...

I had this little incident two hexes from Perth, underneath the noses of my constant air search...

Night Time Surface Combat, near Busselton at 48,148, Range 6,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Mogami
CA Mikuma
CL Nagara
CL Abukuma
DD Kagero
DD Hatsukaze
DD Natsushio
DD Hayashio

Allied Ships
TK Peik, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
TK Athelduke, Shell hits 35, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Clan Mactavish, Shell hits 11, heavy fires
xAK Elysia, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Adrastus, Shell hits 10, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Anglo Canadian, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
xAK Autolycus
xAK Birchbank
xAK City of Canterbury, Shell hits 1
xAK City of Exeter, Shell hits 4, heavy fires
xAK Clan Macbean, Shell hits 1
xAK Clan Macbrayne, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Clan Macilwraith, Shell hits 2, Torpedo hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Clan Macinness, Shell hits 1, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
xAK Clan Mactaggart, Shell hits 11, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Clan Macwhirter

Reduced visibility due to Rain with 50% moonlight
Maximum visibility in Rain and 50% moonlight: 6,000 yards

Against my better judgment, I'm tasking LEX and YORK for a visit to the area. At least I can reassure the citizens there that this will never, ever, happen again. Yeah, right...

Comparing distances, it's still shorter than NZ to Pearl, so that's all what's swaying me. I don't see KB making any other move for awhile, since they're still two hexes off of Port Moresby. Wasp is five days out, so I'll have a fourth carrier at Wellington before too long. I'll think about maybe nailing the oil fields at Palembang, if nothing else comes up.

His sub west of Karachi finally scored a hit on an xAK. She wasn't sunk outright, so she's headed to Masirah to hole up and get fixed enough to make it to a proper port.

I've been thinking more about Chungking proper, with the battle to the north. I should have three more corps there within the next 10 or so days, so I'll have a halfway decent presence there. I have some troops about to reach the road a few hexes east of Chengtu, so I may be able to shut off the supplies going west. We'll see if this starts a panic.

My Suva heavies are off on another raid. I've set them to hit the light industry at Noumea, mostly out of spite. If I can make the supply situation there a little more harder, so much the better.

[Mundy]

08 June 1942

Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk!

Sub attack near Port Moresby at 96,131

Japanese Ships
CVL Ryujo, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Katsutade

Allied Ships
SS S-18

Ammo storage explosion on CVL Ryujo
SS S-18 launches 4 torpedoes at CVL Ryujo
DD Katsutade fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Katsutade fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Katsutade fails to find sub, continues to search...
DD Katsutade attacking submerged sub ....
DD Katsutade fails to find sub, continues to search...
Escort abandons search for sub

I finally have a mean nasty jerk of a sub driver in action. Note the ammo explosion. Japanese damage control being what it is, I doubt she'll be making it back. It's a long way to go, and another two subs are sitting in the strait off Milne Bay. <sweating profusery...>

Pity it wasn't Akagi...

My bombing raid on Noumea didn't go well. I lost a few bombers. He has a full hive of Nicks there now.

The Monkey lists the 78th Infantry Regiment as prepping for Suva. A month ago, they were tagged as being in Fusan. They really must be thinking ahead. I may assign another sub to patrol there.

My little CV TF seems to have passed a sub west of Wellington. I'm ramping up the ASW patrols there. One day on the trip, and Atlanta and a DD already have 1 sys and 1 eng damage.