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

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: IdahoNYer

Neat utility - what is it?

Am I reading this right - you've sunk a total of 22 DDs or 22 in May? Either way, that's a lot of DDs that will have long term impact!

I have sunk a total of 22 destroyer type ships in the entire war... it would be so good to sink 22 destroyers in one month [;)][&o], but no that is the total.

Moreover, I assume "destroyer" as a category, which includes other type of ships like APDs, TBs.
And of course, these includes a fog of war, so likely a bit overstated

The full list:
CL Abukuma ---> this one probably didn't sink, as it got only one torpedo hit.
CL Kiso
CL Tama
DD Akigumo
DD Ariake
DD Fubuki
DD Hatsuharu
DD Hatsuyuki
DD Kuroshio
DD Mutsuki
DD Nokaze
DD Oyashio
DD Shinonome
DD Shirakumo
DD Shirayuki
DD Suzukaze
DD Ushio
DD Usugumo
DD Yomogi
DD Yugumo
DMS W-11
DMS W-5
E Ishigaki
E Saga
TB Chidori

[IdahoNYer]

still, that's an impressive haul.

Whats the utility??

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I did it in Excel; with pivot tables[;)]
data is coming from the tracker


Air losses



Victory points ratio= Japan 2.712:1

I am starting to get worried about a possible auto-victory in 1943...

[Jorge_Stanbury]

From some time now, I had been suspecting he is planning an offensive on Madras. Today I got some confirmation of that:



The imperial guards were in Colombo last time I saw them, and 10/Imperial guards mean it is embarked.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I have the RN close to Addu, the original plan was to refuel there and attempt to sneak much southernly; certainly closer to P Blair than Colombo, as he has quite a lot of bombers in the later.

But, the potential for hitting the Imperial guards embarked is way too tempting, I will send carriers and cruisers south of Colombo, hopefully they will sink the transports

I also have nearby, 2 "R" class Battleships, supported by Hermes, these however are too slow, and still up north. I doubt they will be part of this operation; maybe to cover the withdrawal



Wish me luck on the next 2 or 3 turns

[Mike McCreery]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury


I did it in Excel; with pivot tables[;)]
data is coming from the tracker


Air losses



Victory points ratio= Japan 2.712:1

I am starting to get worried about a possible auto-victory in 1943...

Auto victory in 1943 requires 4-1.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Yes I know, but he is beating me [:(] if he can keep the punishment at this same rate... he can easily get the 4-to-1
At least in China he will, so I need to start getting some "successes" in the other theatres, especially India where I don't need the navy yet.

If he goes heavy on Madras, I think I have an opportunity to attack everywhere else; but first I need to build a credible defense there; this time no more Burmese/ Malayan/ Indian punny troops; only good British, Australian or USA LCUs. Most colonial divisions will remain at Bombay, so to keep them as reserve in case everything fails.

My plan is to keep many LCUs on strategic mode as to allow for quick redeployment, but I have a question related:
what is the impact of keeping a LCU in strategic mode? of course I know it means they will not perform well under attack, but is there any limitation in terms of fatigue, disruption?
any difference in terms of training potential between "combat" vs. "strategic" ?

[BBfanboy]

I have had troops in strategic mode move to a larger (9+ total development) base to cure malaria effects (Disruption 12, Fatigue 30) and without changing mode they cured in about three turns.

Never left any in Strat Mode long enough to see if experience continues to grow, as it does in combat mode.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Thanks!
at the end I decided to put all India troops on strategic mode, which will give me flexibilty to define what and how to defend.

I am also having some misgivings about defending Madras. It doesn't mean that I am thinking about abandoning it, but maybe not putting all the eggs into this basket.

The issue with Madras, is of course, the fact it is in the shore, and very close to a level 8 port (Colombo). thus I can expect non stop bombardment, and I already got a taste on the consequences of high disruption due to naval bombardment while fighting on Port Moresby.

On the positive side, Madras is a good place for air fighting, as I am building Hyderabad and significant #s of B-17s are in transit to Cape Town. So in around 2 weeks or so, I will have around 90 B-17s in Bombay and a strong component of fighters and 2 engine bombers in Hyderabad while he has only one important base in Trincomalee, relatively far away. A good scenario for defending in the air.

I also wihdrew most squadrons close to withdrawal date (next 30 days); all those that give PP. This for 2 reasons: first, I am getting close to the 1940 points needed to buy a USA division, desperately needed in India. the second is to increase my aircraft pool numbers; which will come handy by the time the fighting starts

[BBfanboy]

If you want to lessen the effects of bombardment, build Madras forts as a priority. Once you get level4 and higher the protection from bombardment is markedly better.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Good to know! Madras fort is at level 4.33 and building
moreover, AA is so strong that his bombing raids are always taking out at least a couple bombers, plus many more damaged.

so far my airbase/ port damage is zero, either my teams are repairing damage during the turn or simply AA is killing the aiming accuracy. Forts keep building [;)]

I have these 5 AA LCUs:
Heavy:
- 2/2nd Hvy AA
- 1st RM Heavy AA
- 6th Hvy AA
- 77th Hvy AA
each with 24 24 3.7" MK2 AA guns
Light:
- 48th Light AA with 36 40mm Bofors M1

He had damaged industry, which I am not planning to repair:
Heavy: (88) 52
Light: (13) 87

And as mentioned before, I moved out all squadrons as the bombing was too intense. That said, I plan to re-base fighters from time to time as I can withdraw them by rail if things get too hot.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Today I got this email from Prester John:

"so where are those allied carriers?"

did he see my RN carriers??? [&:]

I have nothing on the turn replay that hints me they were spotted. detection level is still zero...
maybe a simple coincidence... but you know in war there are no coincidences

Still too late to withdraw, they will keep moving east, trying to remain as far as possible from Trincomalee patrol range

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Last turn there was a lot of submarine activity, key highlight is that finally a CV was hit !!!

The victim was CV Junyo, near the Japanese home islands. As I didn't see any escort, and I know this carrier gets commissioned in May 1942, it is safe to bet it was a recent arrival.

I would guess it will need at least some months of yard time. I doubt it is at risk as it as torpedoes very close to Osaka/ Kyoto, but still good to get it offline for some months



Submarine strikes:

Allies:
Drum torpedoed CV Junyo near Wakayama, one hit, no visible fires or damage. It should survive
Hallibut attacked TK Tonan Maru #3, near Naha, but "hit no explosion"
Silversides attacked xAK Malta Maru near Puerto Princesa, a miss
S-18 torpedoed TK Okigawa Maru near Shikuka, one hit, I give it 50-50 chances

Japanese:
RO-60 sunk xAKL Nicarata in Baker island
I-8 sunk CM Bungaree near Sydney
I-160 torpedoed PC Haida at Amchitka island. Although Haida survived, it won't see action for many months

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Going back to my carrier foray in the Indian Ocean; looks like Prester John carrier comment was a pure coincidence

- I sent some Catalinas to take a look and I didn't find any worthy target
- Looks like the Imperial guards are not using "juicy transports" to move out of Ceylon, more likely destroyers on fast transport.
- For some reason, my TFs ended too far south of where I expected to see them.
- TF fuel level, although not yet an issue, was inadequate for continuous operation

For all these reasons, I decided to send both TFs to refuel at Diego Garcia. They will go back of course, but the "fast transport" target is too maneuverable for my torpedo bombers, so not worth the risk to send the carriers so close to his LBAs

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Last but not least, operation Chinese fury!!

I launched 4 shock attacks in the following sieged bases: Chengchow, Loyang, Changsha, Kienko
Results were good: 3 victories, 1 defeat, with heavy Japanese losses:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Chengchow (88,44)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 25342 troops, 162 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 759

Defending force 10260 troops, 67 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 342

Allied adjusted assault: 505

Japanese adjusted defense: 86

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
4428 casualties reported
Squads: 93 destroyed, 119 disabled
Non Combat: 64 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 10 disabled
Guns lost 11 (3 destroyed, 8 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
2667 casualties reported
Squads: 14 destroyed, 302 disabled
Non Combat: 4 destroyed, 51 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 27 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
40th Chinese Corps
29th Chinese Corps
5th New Chinese Corps
7th Chinese Corps
98th Chinese Corps
3rd Construction Regiment
69th Chinese Corps
8th New Chinese Corps
84th Chinese Corps
15th Chinese Corps
7th Construction Regiment
31st Group Army
1st War Area
24th Group Army
39th Group Army
3rd Group Army
10th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
59th Division


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Loyang (87,43)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 57923 troops, 249 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 1774

Defending force 11102 troops, 72 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 358

Allied adjusted assault: 713

Japanese adjusted defense: 305

Allied assault odds: 2 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: leaders(+)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
4690 casualties reported
Squads: 106 destroyed, 137 disabled
Non Combat: 85 destroyed, 36 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 3 disabled
Guns lost 31 (7 destroyed, 24 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
1193 casualties reported
Squads: 3 destroyed, 92 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 13 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 7 disabled

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
9th Chinese Corps
38th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
27th Chinese Corps
93rd Chinese Corps
96th Chinese Corps
2nd Chinese Cavalry Corps
Jingcha War Area
15th Group Army
14th Group Army
4th Group Army
36th Group Army
4th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
69th Division


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Changsha (82,52)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 80602 troops, 409 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2306

Defending force 21217 troops, 166 guns, 38 vehicles, Assault Value = 586

Allied adjusted assault: 3276

Japanese adjusted defense: 541

Allied assault odds: 6 to 1

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

Japanese ground losses:
7615 casualties reported
Squads: 182 destroyed, 192 disabled
Non Combat: 132 destroyed, 89 disabled
Engineers: 6 destroyed, 13 disabled
Guns lost 52 (20 destroyed, 32 disabled)
Vehicles lost 11 (6 destroyed, 5 disabled)
Units retreated 2

Allied ground losses:
6212 casualties reported
Squads: 144 destroyed, 598 disabled
Non Combat: 5 destroyed, 72 disabled
Engineers: 7 destroyed, 33 disabled
Guns lost 31 (2 destroyed, 29 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
37th Chinese Corps
9th Prov Chinese Corps
74th Chinese Corps
10th Chinese Corps
78th Chinese Corps
99th Chinese Corps
58th Chinese Corps
26th Chinese Corps
20th Chinese Corps
72nd Chinese Corps
5th Construction Regiment
9th War Area
27th Group Army
30th Group Army
29th Group Army
19th Group Army
17th Chinese Base Force

Defending units:
15th Division
12th Ind.Mixed Brigade


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ground combat at Kienko (78,41)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 63232 troops, 107 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2307

Defending force 14727 troops, 121 guns, 113 vehicles, Assault Value = 480

Allied adjusted assault: 714

Japanese adjusted defense: 995

Allied assault odds: 1 to 2

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), leaders(+), fatigue(-), supply(-)
Attacker: shock(+), supply(-)

Japanese ground losses:
519 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 37 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 26 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 4 disabled

Allied ground losses:
1681 casualties reported
Squads: 50 destroyed, 269 disabled
Non Combat: 3 destroyed, 16 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 6 disabled
Guns lost 12 (2 destroyed, 10 disabled)

Assaulting units:
41st Chinese Corps
95th Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps
55th Chinese Corps
77th Chinese Corps
12th Chinese Corps
31st Chinese Corps
30th Chinese Corps
51st Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Cavalry Corps
2nd Group Army

Defending units:
3rd Tank Regiment
26th Division

[IdahoNYer]

successful on the ground in China. I'm envious!

Nice going!

[Jorge_Stanbury]

My opponent had been busy, so no turns since Wednesday, I am feeling withdrawal syndrome [:(]

while I keep waiting for the turn; this is the general situation:

[BBfanboy]

You have enough PP to buy a Division. Any plans?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

You have enough PP to buy a Division. Any plans?

Not yet!! but I am counting the days... I have a division waiting in the East coast; the price is 1,924 PP
so another week and they are ready to go

It is the 27th USA division. They will leave in fast transports as soon as I can buy them. I need them in Madras or Hyderabad.
I have them at 100% prep. for Calcutta.. which of course is outside of my short term objectives. Problem is I can't change it as it will stop gaining experience.

Another division, the 41st USA will wait another month or so for its trip to India. This one is prep. for Perth, but again, I can't change until they become experienced

[BBfanboy]

Yeah - that is a weak point of the game IMO, that all the planning done is flushed down the toilet the moment you start on a different plan.
Surely the plans could be put on the shelf and taken up later by the same unit? Just a matter of banking the plan % data and unit name and setting a check routine to see if there is a shelved plan whenever the unit changes plans again.
It would be fair to deduct a 10-20% penalty from the plan on the shelf to account for forgetting details and changing circumstances like tide and moon calculations for invasions.

I don't recall spending that much for 27th ID, but then,I set the units I plan to buy to "No Replacements/No Upgrade" so that they will be cheaper to buy. The devices they need to fill out are usually stockpiled in the pool (through lack of demand from the No Reinforcements setting) so they fill out quickly when I buy them and allow them to fill out.