Tales from the First Time -DanSez (J) vs Przemcio231 (A) - no Przemcio231 please

[DanSez]

Dec 12, 1941 (cont)

The first Deliberate Attack on Hong Kong:

Ground combat at Hong Kong (77,61)
Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 25074 troops, 376 guns, 218 vehicles, Assault Value = 759
Defending force 6579 troops, 125 guns, 80 vehicles, Assault Value = 221

Japanese engineers reduce fortifications to 2
Japanese adjusted assault: 549
Allied adjusted defense: 213
Japanese assault odds: 2 to 1 (fort level 2)
Japanese Assault reduces fortifications to 2

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: DanSez

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I love using the Tone on deep, long raids. Of course, she is at great risk...from subs and planes and surface groups, but it sure is fun to pull off a deep raid and getaway!

I have used the Boise the same way as the Allies.

Now, in Downfall as the Allies, I have ships out the kazoo...and no need for single ship task forces where 10 fletchers will do just about anything that needs doing.[:D] But as Japan in Downfall...I could see sending out a lone CA on a deep, deep raid. Anything at that point to disrupt the Allied juggernaut.

Yes I think I recall the story of one raid out past Ceylon.
Was that a single ship or a pair/three?

In this game, I would like to get a division of Shimikaze with Tone as a powerful, fast counter puncher in the battles of the Marianas/ Phillipines Sea.

If I am reading Tracker correctly, I will have 7 of them by end of Jan 43.

Thanks for your council.

Going farther afield than the Japanese:
- Bismarck
- Graf Spee
- Admiral Scheer (including a period in the Indian Ocean).

I know there were other single raiders, whether or not pure warships.

[Lowpe]

Bismarck really sortied with the Prinz Eugen a heavy cruiser too.... so a two ship raiding force.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: DanSez

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

I love using the Tone on deep, long raids. Of course, she is at great risk...from subs and planes and surface groups, but it sure is fun to pull off a deep raid and getaway!

I have used the Boise the same way as the Allies.

Now, in Downfall as the Allies, I have ships out the kazoo...and no need for single ship task forces where 10 fletchers will do just about anything that needs doing.[:D] But as Japan in Downfall...I could see sending out a lone CA on a deep, deep raid. Anything at that point to disrupt the Allied juggernaut.

Yes I think I recall the story of one raid out past Ceylon.
Was that a single ship or a pair/three?

In this game, I would like to get a division of Shimikaze with Tone as a powerful, fast counter puncher in the battles of the Marianas/ Phillipines Sea.

If I am reading Tracker correctly, I will have 7 of them by end of Jan 43.

Thanks for your council.

I sent the Tone all by her lonesome all the way up to Karachi and sank several ships either in port or close, then retreated, and spotted 3 AMCs chasing me...and decided to engage them too, and sank all three. The Tone promptly steamed back to Sabang...the goal really was to nail a CVE that was flying ASW to protect tankers.

I have sent the Tone out subsequently with one long legged destroyer and raided Perth.

In the CentPac I used the Mogami I think. Not as successful, but she still caught a convoy.

The Tone's experience is in the 80s I think, and that makes her just a killer can't believe how much better a ship she is with high experience and Bunji at the helm. Her starting Captain really stinks.

Speaking of that, over the next couple of months start swapping out those lousy tanker Captains and put in good naval, low aggression captains -- especially for the Tonan Whalers (you don't want to lose them).

[Lowpe]

Spend a little time organizing your naval search...you have Nells and flying boats use them. Try to get an air hq with torpedoes forward...Jolo is the usual target, Sinkiawing another.

Some AFBs like to have their task forces hide in small ports that you probably would never recon...and then reappear for a surface raid on the following day only to try and disappear the following day. Something to watch out for.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Bismarck really sortied with the Prinz Eugen a heavy cruiser too.... so a two ship raiding force.

But PE headed back in after the battle with Hood and POW. Bismarck very deliberately went on alone with the intention of causing havoc and then (IIRC) re-basing in France.

[Lowpe]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Bismarck really sortied with the Prinz Eugen a heavy cruiser too.... so a two ship raiding force.

But PE headed back in after the battle with Hood and POW. Bismarck very deliberately went on alone with the intention of causing havoc and then (IIRC) re-basing in France.

You are quite correct.[:)]

I had the old Avalon Hill game Bismarck. Quite fun...

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: Lowpe

Spend a little time organizing your naval search...you have Nells and flying boats use them. Try to get an air hq with torpedoes forward...Jolo is the usual target, Sinkiawing another.

Some AFBs like to have their task forces hide in small ports that you probably would never recon...and then reappear for a surface raid on the following day only to try and disappear the following day. Something to watch out for.

I will review where my flying boats are, I haven't moved them from their starting locations yet. Thanks for the reminder.

I am still trying to figure out a lot of what will move where. In current game time, the 21st Air Flotilla is established in Babeldoab and the 23rd (I think) is unloading in Truk. Those are given moves as the game started with those units planning for those locations. Sounded good to me. The next steps are being considered like Jolo and Sinkiawing but the resources are not there yet.

I have been shifting Air HQs from Indochina onto Malaysia proper and increasing AF sizes to start sweeps/bombing of Singapore.

He definitely plays hide and seek with his air units. After his first couple of Cap Traps, I have been more watchful with recon but will certainly get caught again and again.

This is very different than playing the short scenarios (so much less to worry about keeping track of) -- and of course much more challenging than playing the AI. The learning curve always includes a few heart breakers along the way. Please keep the advice coming.

And some pretty good counter punching too --- will get to that soon.

[DanSez]

13 Dec, 1941

Top of the News features a few more victorious Japanese assaults:
Calayan is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Naga !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Sorong !!!
Japanese forces CAPTURE Wewak !!!

Not so good news,
Those Pesky-35As claim another victim:

Morning Air attack on TF, near Polillo at 82,77
Weather in hex: Severe storms

Raid spotted at 17 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
P-35A x 21
No Allied losses

Japanese Ships
xAKL Fukkai Maru, Shell hits 1, Bomb hits 13, and is sunk

Aircraft Attacking:
21 x P-35A bombing from 100 feet
Naval Attack: 2 x 100 lb GP Bomb

Massive explosion on xAKL Fukkai Maru


But in seas around Davao, the saga continues.
CVE Taiyo, with cobbled together air crews of 2 Sentai of B5N1 Kates and 6 old A5M4 Claudes, launch an attack which will lead to a significant battle in the coming days:

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Cagayan at 79,89

Weather in hex: Clear sky

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
B5N1 Kate x 19

No Japanese losses

Allied Ships
xAKL Kanlaon II, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAKL Latouche, Bomb hits 2, and is sunk

Allied ground losses:
179 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 6 disabled
Non Combat: 15 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 17 (4 destroyed, 13 disabled)
Vehicles lost 20 (7 destroyed, 13 disabled)

An invasion force hits the beaches at Davao:
Invasion Support action off Davao (79,91)

Japanese Ships
xAK Tenryu Maru
xAK Taifuku Maru
xAP Hakone Maru
CM Itsukushima

xAK Tenryu Maru fired at enemy troops
xAK Taifuku Maru fired at enemy troops
xAP Hakone Maru fired at enemy troops
Defensive Guns fire at approaching troops in landing craft at 1,000 yards

Another task force trails with the Mura Det. and I thought the orders when out for a Cruiser Task Force to provide close support.


Speaking of Cruiser Task Forces:
I have dispatched a cruiser task force to patrol the landings already made along Sarawak and North Boreno. This will also lead to another series of clashes near Kuching...

[DanSez]

Sub Wars:
******************************
ASW attack near Kuching at 58,88
Japanese Ships
DD Hagikaze

Allied Ships
SS Porpoise, hits 1

******************************
Sub attack near Lahaina at 184,104

Japanese Ships
SS I-174

Allied Ships
DD Ralph Talbot, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
DD Mugford
(DD Ralph Talbot is reported sunk later)

******************************
Sub attack near Laoag at 81,71

Japanese Ships
xAK Brisbane Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS S-37

******************************
Sub attack near Polillo at 81,78
Japanese Ships
xAKL Fukkai Maru, heavy fires, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Searaven

******************************
Sub attack near Takao at 84,66
Japanese Ships
xAK Shirogane Maru, Torpedo hits 1, heavy damage

Allied Ships
SS Seadragon

******************************

Lots of other sub action - misses, detections, etc.

I thought about trying to lure him into shallower water so my depth charges will have a better chance of sinking him, but he tends to park his subs withing 1 or 2 hexes of a port and wait for me to sail thru. I have a lot of ASW flying, not very effective yet, but I still get quite a few detections.

[DanSez]

A little 'back up' information of the conflict around Mindanao.
Situation map of 10 Dec 1941:

[DanSez]

Air and Naval Engagements off the coast of Mindanao: December 10 thru 19, 1941.

The invasion of Davao is one of a 3-prong invasion plan to subdue the Philippines with other landing at Naga and Atimonan that will drive toward Manila from the South.

Dec 10th
Two small invasion task forces approach Davao. The first lands with elements of the 146th Inf Reg. Another task force is following with the Miura Det on board.

SigInt detects radio transmissions from Butuan (on the North shores of Mindanao).

At this point I have:
Air Combat TF with just CVE Taiyo w 20 BN51 Kates and 3 (yes, just 3) A5M4 Claudes on board
There are also 2 CAs, 1 CL and 8 DDs (including the 2 escorts for CVE Taiyo) in the area. More ships are on the way.

Dec 11th
The CA Houston, CL Boise and other ships rush into Davao Bay catching both landing task forces, sinking most of the landing ships and destroying the Miura Det. The cover forces I planned for were too far back to react which was fortunate in a way as they were too weak to stand in a fight with this enemy.

Dec 12th
Does not start off well with the P-35A strike that sinks 4 xAKLs with supplies (mentioned previously). It could have been worse. All troops here and at the Naga landing are successfully transferred. The Naga landing has 2 CS with float plane cap. These should have been put in the Atimonan fleet but then again, I would rather (edit) lose a dozen xAKLs than one of those CS.

Further South I moved CVE Taiyo closer to Davao hoping for a long range strike if the CA Houston group decided to loiter. The 2 CAs and the other heavy elements traveling with the Atimonan invasion fleet hurry South as well. The stage is being set for what follows.

[ny59giants]

Re-Arming: There is a strong possibility that Soerabaja will be were he sends Houston and Boise to reload ammo.

When playing as Japan, I like to hit Soerabaja hard as soon as feasible. Typically, there are a lot of subs, warships, and transports coming and going there for the first few weeks.

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

Re-Arming: There is a strong possibility that Soerabaja will be were he sends Houston and Boise to reload ammo.

When playing as Japan, I like to hit Soerabaja hard as soon as feasible. Typically, there are a lot of subs, warships, and transports coming and going there for the first few weeks.

Welcome sir, great advice if I knew how to pull it off at this point. I keep getting small task forces ambushed in the weeds and the Allied Command, counting on my relative inexperience, is playing a daring game. He picked up some DL on the Taiyo with such a skinny cover force and ...

General strategy:
My earlier thoughts were to gather the KB and some forces (listed on page 2), come down the Eastern side of the DEI and blow up everything I could. The game has taken a different path since then.

But yes, getting into the DEI and blowing up stuff has priority at Japan High Command.
Thanks again for posting, please stay tuned....

[DanSez]

Meanwhile - a little musical interlude from one of the greatest movies of all time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOr0na6mKJQ

[Malagant]

Your experiences are not much different from mine for first few days. I'm feeling like the initial distribution of surfaces forces has to be very carefully micro-managed to protect the myriad little invasion forces all over. I did not do a great job at that and though my opponent is seemingly far more in Sir Robin mode than yours, he's still getting a LOT of hits in with PT boats and Dutch Navy. We live and learn, right?

[DanSez]

ORIGINAL: Malagant
... We live and learn, right?

Yes sir -- that be 4-Shore.

I am trying to flip the turn back and then post part two of the Battles of Mindanao. I hope to have some time to catch up on your adventures soon.
Good hunting.

[DanSez]

Battles of Mindanao (cont)
Dec 14th
I need to get supplies into Davao. There is plenty at the bottom of Davao Bay, but the 114th Reg can’t use it. . I am also trying to sneak in a couple of minelayers to slow up any more raiders. The next supply TF is already getting lit up My opponent’s search planes reach half way between Mindanao and Babeldaob, focused toward Babeldaob but the sector to the Northeast appears to be unwatched.

More radio transmissions coming from Cagayan. Is that where the search aircraft are coming from?

The 21st Air Flotilla hasn’t arrived yet, so not much AV support.
To the North, Atimonan is captured, unloading is completed and Japan High Command decides those surface elements used to cover those landings are free to use in the South.

Dec 15th
Babeldaob AF expands to size 4. This will help when the 21st Air Flotilla arrives which is still about 2 days out at sea from port and treading thru waters heavily infested with submarines.

Allied recon over Naga. With 2 CSs flying Cap, I am curious what the sighing report was – multiple CVEs maybe. Did that influence the decision of which direction his SCFT took? In later SigInt, Allied Command was hopeful of catching the lone CVE Taiyo. Allied float planes reported over CruDiv 3.

At this point I would like to describe those two task forces.
Special Attack Force Hyuga – set on Bombardment to Cayagan includes
BB Hyuga,
BB Ise,
DD Wakatake,
DD Kuretake,
DD Sanae
with React set to 5 and at Cruise Speed (slow).
Task Force Commander is CPT Ishizaki, Noburu.
Set to follow is CruDiv 3 with
CA Furutaka,
CA Kako,
DD Uzuki,
DD Yuzuki
with React set to 4 at Mission Speed (regular).
Task Force Commander is CPT Takahashi, Yuji.
I did this for the reason to allow CruDiv 3 to overtake the Special Attack Force if trouble comes around and then the slower task force seems to have a chance to change missions and close to battle.

This was a trick I picked up in playing the shorter scenarios. Sometimes it works and when it does… boom.

[DanSez]

Situation Map - Dec 16, 1941

[DanSez]

I am not saying I planned all that followed. Sometimes it is better to be luck than be good. In game play I was just coming up out of the massive fog of working thru all the opening game check list, spreadsheets, and notes gathered from other posters (thanks especially to Kull) and other AARs. But from this point on, I am playing more ‘head up’ instead of ‘flying by instruments’ if you know what I mean.

Dec 16th
An Allied SCFT tries to rush thru the narrow passes around Cagayan.
Night Time Surface Combat, near Cagayan at 80,88, Range 8,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
DD Uzuki
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 1
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 1
CL Boise
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones

Allied aircraft
no flights

Allied aircraft losses
SOC-1 Seagull: 2 destroyed

The Allies tried to rush thru the gap
Night Time Surface Combat, near Dinagat at 81,87, Range 7,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
CA Furutaka, Shell hits 1
CA Kako, Shell hits 1
DD Uzuki
DD Yuzuki

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 2
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 2, on fire
CL Boise, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Barker
DD Bulmer
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1


Then with the morning light…
Day Time Surface Combat, near Cagayan at 80,88, Range 13,000 Yards

Japanese Ships
BB Ise, Shell hits 6
BB Hyuga, Shell hits 12, on fire
DD Wakatake
DD Kuretake, Shell hits 2
DD Sanae, Shell hits 3, heavy fires

Allied Ships
CA Houston, Shell hits 7, heavy fires
CL Marblehead, Shell hits 5, heavy fires, heavy damage
CL Boise, Shell hits 6, and is sunk
DD Barker, Shell hits 2, heavy fires
DD Bulmer, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Paul Jones, Shell hits 1

BB Hyuga engages CL Boise at 10,000 yards
CL Boise sunk by BB Ise at 10,000 yards