Tale of the Sheep! - JocMeister (A) vs. Lowpe (J)

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

I figure its a very long walk for him. And he can have the North if he wants to. I´ll hang on to Lanchow if I can though...

Lanchow is a key location. How are you defending it?

Sending a couple of hundred AVs up North to set up roadblocks East (and possibly North) of Lanchow while I construct as many forts as I can in Lanchow.

Might all be moot though as I currently have something like 3000 Japanese AV going straight for Ankang from the South! [X(]

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]January 1st-3rd 1942[/font]
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So, finally into 42! From a game perspective not much changes though. Japanese will continue to smack the defenseless Allies around for another 6 months or so. I do get some Hurricanes now which will help a lot. A pitiful 15 B17Es/month also start arriving.

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Pacific
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Japanese continue to pound the remaining BBs at PH for almost no losses. No sign of KB.

West coast is now completely evacuated. I have 1-2 IDs in SF, SD, LA and Seattle. I moved all Fighters forward to said locations together with all AA I could find.

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DEI
------------------------
Japanese land at Medan and quickly capture it. No damage to the oil or refineries. [:(] MKB finally shows up moving from Babeldaob towards the Celebes sea. A big SCTF is sitting at Jolo. I bet they will join up with MKB and move for Balikpapan. Force Z moves back. I´m being a little bit too aggressive with the Dutch CLs and I´ll probably run into some Betties soon. But I have to try something.

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Burma
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Nick tries a para drop at Toungoo but lands on a small BF.

Ground combat at Toungoo (57,50)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 1048 troops, 9 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 45

Defending force 828 troops, 5 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 7

Japanese adjusted assault: 6

Allied adjusted defense: 7

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

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

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

Assaulting units:
1st Raiding Rgt /1
Yokosuka 3rd SNLF /3

Defending units:
106th RAF Base Force

At the same time a Tank RGT blasts into Pegu evicting the BF and small battalion defending there. Time to move into the woods in the North.

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China
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The main Japanese push is now clear. Its a major push towards Angkang. I´ve prepared for this but I need my blocking force to hold for 10 days or so for reinforcements to arrive. I have 2 well supported Chinese Corps in x3 terrain and 750 AV with 2 forts. I should hold for a while here.

Looks like Nick is also pushing for the wilds west of the road. This I was also prepared for and have 800 AV ready in position.

See map for details.

Its now a race for Nick to push through before I can get reserves into place. I can have 800 AV ready in 8-10 days. Another 1200 in 2-3 weeks.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]SIGINT[/font]
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While nothing is clear obviously I see a lot of troop movements towards CENTPAC and Bangkok. No divisions moving towards PH yet.

18th ID just landed at Medan
5th ID is in Northern Malaya
IGD is moving towards Burma
38th ID is moving to Singers on a ship. (Probably fake)

41st, 113th, 148th RGT are in Malaya
9th RGT(?) moving to Midway

4th and 7th tank RGT are moving to Bangkok together with 33rd ID. (This is probably a fake destination). But where are they going?

1st and 6th Tank RGTs are at Medan.

Guards Mixed BDE is at Rabaul. 144th RGT is planning for PM and moving to Rabaul.

That are the pieces of the puzzle I have. Problem is that I´m missing too many pieces to see the picture...

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]January 4th 1942[/font]
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Short update as I´m off to a job interview and then to IKEA to order a new kitchen. Besides that my first nephew was born last night. Busy time! [:)]

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Pacific
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Nick lets some Zeroes fly airfield attack at PH. Not much damage done but 7 zeroes shot down by AA. Usual bombings of the two BBs. SYS are approaching 100 for both of them.

Tarawa is invaded.

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DEI
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MKB moves into the Celebes. A big convoy comes down from the North. Takakan and/or Balikpapan. Force Z is readied. Lost a big AO last turn to a sub but the remaining AO could top off Z.

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China
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Northern advance continues smashing the already shattered chinese troops yet again. In the south it looks like Nick is shifting some troops from the Ankang route towards Ichang. Could be bad recon though.

No screen today.

[Lokasenna]

So far as I know, Sys can't actually reach 100 (at least not while disbanded in port). It can definitely go to 99, though.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

So far as I know, Sys can't actually reach 100 (at least not while disbanded in port). It can definitely go to 99, though.

Sys can reach 100 if the ship gets very, very wet ... throughout.

[JocMeister]

Hah! I will soon find out. I think one of them is at 98 SYS.

No turn from Nick so no update.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: JocMeister

Hah! I will soon find out. I think one of them is at 98 SYS.

No turn from Nick so no update.

I've had ships bombed in port with 99 Sys and stay at 99 Sys. It took many months to get them out. I don't think they can get higher than 99. Other damage will sink them, though. I was in a size 7 port so they didn't burn up.

[JocMeister]

Actually managed two turns tonight as Nick was home from work. [:)] Nothing spectacular so the update will wait until tomorrow!

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]January 5th-6th 1942[/font]
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Time for a proper update! [:)]

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Pacific
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Some dot islands start flipping to Japanese. The usual bombings at PH. Arizona is "only" at 92 SYS so Nick has some more work to do here.

Interestingly I get the first real sign that the Japanese are going to try and capture PH.

21st Division is planning for an attack on Pearl Harbor.

This ID is unrestricted and starts at Shanghai. I havn´t seen it yet though so it might already be in CENTPAC.

No sign of KB.

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DEI
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As predicted the Japanese land at Tarakan under heavy protection. MKB moves into the Celebes and a big SCTF covers the landing. The CD guns gets some hits on the transports but nothing major.

I´m tearing my hair here trying to find an opening somewhere. Nick plays well though and any allied attempt would be suicide. I´m not inclined to throw away ships at this stage.

I also have two huge TFs moving just south of Singapore. Not sure what their target is yet.

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Burma
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Nick secures Toungoo evicting the BF there. Japanese troops starts moving north straight away. Two big Oscar Sentais make sure I can´t try something funny here. AVG is resting and training at Calcutta.

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China
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Its just a race at this stage to get troops into position before Nick do. I´m really worried about the hex between the Ankang and Sian road. Don´t know when Nick started moving into it. My troops have been moving for 4 days. Its possible Nick started before that. Lack of proper recon makes it really hard.

I don´t want to lose this position this early. Ideally I wanted to hold here until supply runs out in Mars/April when nothing matters anymore. Don´t want to lose China earlier then I have to.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Burma[/font]
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Here is the situation. The usual stuff. On Eriks advice I decided to not try and get smart. 1st Burma IDs is digging in at Myitkvina.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]SOPAC[/font]
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Well, I found the KB. [:)] Looks like a PM invasion. Nothing I can do about it though as I don´t even have any ready subs in the area.

This opens up areas for me to do some other things though. Starting next turn already depending on Japanese movement. [:)]

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Java[/font]
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A possible invasion fleet is spotted on the 7th. Everything is readied but the fleet turns towards western Borneo instead. I lost track of the TF on the 8th due to relocating naval search to the inland and messing up the settings.

A Dutch sub connects with the TF though but is spotted before it can launch anything.

ASW attack near Billiton at 54,96

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
CA Mogami
CA Takao
CL Isuzu
CL Jintsu
DD Asashio
DD Hagikaze
DD Hakaze
DD Akatsuki
DD Arashio
DD Michishio

Allied Ships
SS KX

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]SIGINT[/font]
______________________________________________________________________________

Big piece of the puzzle is just revealed. Looks like I will be facing an Australia invasion...again.

8/33rd Division is loaded on xAP Mizuho Maru moving to Rabaul.
6/4th Division is loaded on xAP Huso Maru moving to Rabaul.
3rd Infantry Regiment is planning for an attack on Perth.

This is pretty much as I expected and I have prepared from T1 as best as I can. I have a fetish for SOPAC/OZ but this time I´ll fight the urge and stick to my original plan.

[Lokasenna]

Just don't get too aggressive.

Also, don't worry about Perth and such. Sure, it's a lot of VPs for him, but you don't really need it and you can take it back at your leisure later. As long as you build your bases and avoid naval disasters you should be able to avoid AV.

[JocMeister]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Just don't get too aggressive.

Also, don't worry about Perth and such. Sure, it's a lot of VPs for him, but you don't really need it and you can take it back at your leisure later. As long as you build your bases and avoid naval disasters you should be able to avoid AV.

Yeah, I´ll keep my head cool this time! [:D]

Never cared much about Perth and never understood why most Japanese players take it in the first place.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Ambush at Java[/font]
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We reached the 8th of January. The turn start off splendid.

Sub attack near Sangi at 76,96

Japanese Ships
CV Kaga, Torpedo hits 1
CL Kinu
CS Mizuho
DD Shiranui
DD Uruyuke
DD Katsutade
DD Nenohi
DD Hatsuharu

Allied Ships
SS S-37

Don´t think she will need to visit the yard though. Its a sturdy ship and no additional damage messages.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Ambush at Java[/font]
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Finally managed to get something constructive done. My plan (hope) was to hit the amphibs before they unloaded. Sadly no such luck. Starting to understand Eriks frustration with my APA/AKA landings. Although I hit the ships pretty hard almost everything got ashore safely.

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Ambush at Java[/font]
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Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 18 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 1
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 1

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
F4F-3A Wildcat x 11
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17
SBD-2 Dauntless x 51
SBD-3 Dauntless x 17
TBD-1 Devastator x 22

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 1 destroyed by flak
TBD-1 Devastator: 3 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Kongo
xAK Shikano Maru, Bomb hits 3, and is sunk
xAK Hokuzyu Maru, Bomb hits 3, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Tihuku Maru
xAK Sugiyama Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Tazan Maru, Bomb hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
xAK Ryuun Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Haruna, Bomb hits 1
xAK Awazisan Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire
xAK Sanura Maru
xAK Nanman Maru, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Ume Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
xAP Argentina Maru
xAK Thames Maru
xAK Ryoyo Maru
xAK Yoneyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Miyadono Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires
CL Isuzu, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Kyokusei Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
xAK Kotohira Maru
xAK Hakodate Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Shofuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Amagisan Maru
xAK Victoria Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
AMC Saigon Maru, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Kinkai Maru, Torpedo hits 1
DD Arashio
xAP Baikal Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nittai Maru

Japanese ground losses:
3736 casualties reported
Squads: 84 destroyed, 19 disabled
Non Combat: 95 destroyed, 72 disabled
Engineers: 18 destroyed, 5 disabled
Guns lost 81 (61 destroyed, 20 disabled)
Vehicles lost 37 (27 destroyed, 10 disabled)

During the afternoon Heavy rain shelters the Japanese. [:(]

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 15,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 7 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 5
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 13

Allied aircraft
F2A-3 Buffalo x 9
F4F-3A Wildcat x 10
SB2U-3 Vindicator x 17
SBD-2 Dauntless x 50
SBD-3 Dauntless x 15
TBD-1 Devastator x 20

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ic Oscar: 1 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
SB2U-3 Vindicator: 1 damaged
SBD-2 Dauntless: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
SBD-3 Dauntless: 4 damaged
TBD-1 Devastator: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
BB Haruna
xAK Nanman Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Kinkai Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Nittai Maru
xAK Tateisi Maru, Bomb hits 1
xAK Shinsei Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
CL Isuzu
xAK Shoho Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires
xAK Macassar Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
xAK Arima Maru
xAK Nittai Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
xAK Sugiyama Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Utide Maru
xAK Ume Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Thames Maru
xAK Sanuki Maru
xAK Teiryu Maru, Bomb hits 2, heavy fires, heavy damage
AMC Saigon Maru, heavy damage
xAK Yahiko Maru, Bomb hits 1, on fire
BB Kongo
AK Tosan Maru
xAK Eli Maru, Bomb hits 1, heavy fires, heavy damage
xAK Hukusei Maru

Japanese ground losses:
698 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 12 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 20 disabled
Engineers: 2 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 7 (4 destroyed, 3 disabled)
Vehicles lost 14 (1 destroyed, 13 disabled)

[JocMeister]

[font="Verdana"]Ambush at Java[/font]
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While the actual results are negligible I hope this will put delay him. I think he will have to pull the KB from SOPAC to stabilize the situation.

Even if Kaga isn´t out of the picture I don´t think he wants to take on the US CVs with MKB alone. Not when I can cover behind Java... and there are some things that bite on Java.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Light cloud

Raid spotted at 7 NM, estimated altitude 8,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 4 minutes

Allied aircraft
Swordfish I x 4
B-339D x 7

Allied aircraft losses
Swordfish I: 1 damaged

Japanese Ships
xAK Ryuun Maru, Torpedo hits 3, and is sunk

Japanese ground losses:
153 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 15 disabled
Non Combat: 16 destroyed, 25 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 2 disabled
Guns lost 17 (7 destroyed, 10 disabled)
Vehicles lost 45 (33 destroyed, 12 disabled)

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Kalidjati at 50,99

Weather in hex: Heavy rain

Raid spotted at 2 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 1 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
Ki-43-Ic Oscar x 14

Allied aircraft
Buffalo I x 3
Swordfish I x 3
B-339D x 3

No Japanese losses

Allied aircraft losses
Buffalo I: 1 destroyed
B-339D: 1 destroyed

Japanese Ships
xAKL Kosho Maru, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk

With the added CV CAP over Java Japan didn´t have a very good day in the air. Lots of Nell strikes went after my AOs refueling at Tjilatjap. This is the firs of three strikes.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Tjilatjap at 51,102

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid spotted at 19 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 6 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 6

Allied aircraft
P-40E Warhawk x 13
F2A-3 Buffalo x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed